basketball tournament business plan

Advertisement

How to Organize a Basketball Tournament

• Share Content on Facebook
• Share Content on LinkedIn
• Share Content on Flipboard
• Share Content on Reddit
• Share Content via Email

Your team's star player is dribbling the ball, and there's not much time left on the clock. He fakes a left, then goes right, then shoots the perfect hook shot -- the one that helps your team take home the title.

No matter whether a team is playing for fun or for a shot at the big time, everyone loves bragging rights. That's where tournaments come into play. A basketball tournament is a series of games involving multiple teams that takes place over a period of one or more days, the outcome of which determines the champion of that specific tournament, league, state or national competition.

A sporting association will often host a basketball tournament in order to promote the sport and encourage friendly competition. The Amateur Athletic Union, Youth Basketball of America, National Junior Basketball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and state school organizations are all examples of groups that organize and host tournaments every year. These associations sanction the events by having a formal set of rules and guidelines that all participating teams play under, and they often have local, state and national tournaments.

A city or town parks and recreation department may also choose to organize a tournament for teams in their local community. Some corporations, like Nike, host their own tournaments that not only promote the sport, but serve as a marketing tool for the business. Other groups, like Gus Macker, hold tournaments to raise money for charity. Of course, many of these events are organized in part by the parents and coaches of children's teams and adult players in amateur leagues.

But no matter who puts them together, basketball tournaments don't happen without organization and groundwork. Every successful event requires a good deal of preparation in order to ensure that it runs smoothly and that win or lose, everyone has a good time.

Although organizing a basketball tournament can be a lot of work, it can really pay off for your local team or league -- literally. Tournaments are great fundraising opportunities because you can earn money from entry fees, concessions and merchandise. Whether you're putting on an event in conjunction with a local parks and recreation department, a youth or adult league, a high school or college, these extra funds can help keep your group afloat financially and help players subsidize costs or travel expenses to other area tournaments.

So, what's the first (and arguably most important) aspect of organizing a basketball tournament? Read the next page to find out.

The Basics of Organizing a Basketball Tournament

Types of basketball tournaments, tips for organizing a basketball tournament.

The first order of business when planning a tournament is choosing when and where to host it. Be sure to pick a date that doesn't conflict with other events in your venue or other basketball games in the area. Many organizations have online calendars of events to help you plan. You should also consider the time of year you want to hold the tournament. If its purpose is to determine a league or geographical champion, then it should take place at the end of the season. If it's a contained event, such as an invitational tournament that simply declares its own winner, you can schedule it earlier in the season. Once you have the date, choose a venue and book it.

Now that you've got the event set, you'll need competitors. Who is this tournament for? Local youth teams? The adult rec league? Contact the teams, post registration instructions online and at schools, youth clubs, gyms and parks departments. Have teams formally register so you know exactly who's coming, and set a registration deadline far enough in advance to prepare the schedule. To make it easier, you may want to limit the number of teams allowed to play. And, of course, games can't be played if someone doesn't enforce the rules. So you'll also need to hire referees through a local officiating association.

Once you know who's coming, you can put together a schedule. Be sure to allot enough time each day to cover warm-ups and game time -- including halftime -- as well as extra room to stop the clock for things like time-outs and injuries.

In the weeks and days leading up to the event, you'll need to communicate with coaches, teams and volunteers about the logistical details. Also be sure to promote the tourney online and in the local press to generate interest.

People will need to eat throughout the day, so have a variety of food for sale. Remember that you're feeding athletes, so be sure to offer some healthy food and beverage options. If you're having a large tournament, think about selling T-shirts and other merchandise that participants and spectators can buy as souvenirs.

Remember the little details, too. Be sure to have awards for the winners, and don't forget to purchase extra insurance to cover liability.

A bye occurs when a team advances to the next round of a tournament without having to play. This usually takes place in the early rounds with teams that are highly ranked.

There are many ways to crown the winner of your tournament. One of the most popular is a single-elimination competition, wherein a team keeps playing as long as it wins, with the overall champion being the group that remains undefeated. Teams are generally seeded, or ranked, depending on a number of variables, including team record and difficulty of schedule, and put into brackets so stronger teams are likely to meet in the finals. Bracketing works on a power of two basis, creating brackets of four, eight, 16, and so on. Although you can have an odd number of teams and schedule byes, the overall calendar will have one fewer game than there are teams (because one team will be declared the winner). If each game takes 90 to 120 minutes, a 16-team tournament will need 22.5 to 30 hours of court time. This could equal three to four days of play.

A double-elimination competition means more organizational work, because each team can lose twice before being eliminated. This means teams get more bang for their buck by being able to play at least two games. Because it's bracketed, there will still be an overall winner. For scheduling, an eight-team double-elimination tourney will need 15 games.

In a round-robin tournament, teams are divided into pools, and they play everyone in their pool either once or twice. The team with the best record wins. In some tournaments, after a round of pools, a single-elimination competition takes place so there's an overall winner. The disadvantage to this format is the amount of rounds needed. While a 16-team single-elimination tournament takes only four rounds, a 16-team round-robin tournament requires 15 rounds of action.

A 3-on-3 tournament is exactly what it sounds like: Teams of three players compete against each other in a pick-up game type of event. These tournaments are often organized for charity events, and the event director sets the rules. Most often, these include playing on a half-court, winning by a certain number of points or within a time frame that's shorter than a standard basketball game. A 3-on-3 tournament can be a large competition involving dozens of teams across all age ranges. Teams are grouped into divisions, usually based on age and/or gender, and they often play in smaller pools, with the winners going on to an elimination bracket within the division.

One of the most well-known basketball competitions in the country is the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, which was started by Scott McNeal -- aka Gus Macker -- in his parents' driveway in 1974. Since then, it's grown to be held in over 75 cities each year.

Once you put together your checklist of things to do , organizing a tournament might seem a little daunting. However, there are many sporting associations that you can partner with for assistance. The U.S. Basketball Association and the Amateur Athletic Union, among others, have resources to help make planning easier. An association can provide a lot of support for the groundwork of your event, such as marketing, scheduling, compiling brackets, communication and insurance. Since their staffs are pros at doing this, they can help you avoid some pitfalls. An established association can also provide sanctioning, which will add an air of authority to the event. While the cost of these services varies, your league may also have to become a member of the association, which could cost several hundred dollars per year.

Also give yourself plenty of time to plan the event. The Amateur Athletic Union recommends starting the preparations at least 180 days before the tournament starts. Otherwise, the weeks leading up to the event could become a mad, stressful scramble, and some important tasks might fall through the cracks.

One person can't do all the work alone, so make sure you have enough hands on deck to keep things running smoothly. From getting enough qualified officials and referees to recruiting volunteers who can man concession stands and wrangle teams, having warm bodies to do the small stuff will ensure a smoother overall event. Find qualified officials through your state's basketball officials association. Get volunteers by asking parents, spouses and friends of league members to help and be sure to offer potential volunteers a place to sign up on the tournament's Web site. You can also try recruiting volunteers through social media and various other online resources.

Finally, don't forget that unless you're holding a charity event, a tournament is a way for your group to make money. While you'll be planning for concessions and tournament merchandise, also consider renting tables to outside vendors who sell shoes, clothing and other basketball gear. They'll have access to a larger customer base, which will help you turn a profit. Outside vendors also lend an air of spectacle and excitement to your event.

Now that you have a better idea of what's involved in basketball tournament planning, it's time to get the ball rolling on your own event!

Organize A Basketball Tournament FAQ

How do you organize a 3x3 basketball tournament, how do you create a tournament schedule, how do basketball tournaments work, what is the first step to organize a tournament, how do you run a successful tournament, lots more information, related articles.

• How to Motivate Kids in Sports
• Ultimate Guide to Coaching Youth Basketball
• How to Start a Basketball League
• Amateur Athletic Union. "Event Operators Wanted." (March 29, 2012) http://www.aausports.org/AreYouNewtoAAU/EventOperatorsWanted.aspx
• Brown, Robert. B. "Round-Robin Tournament." Discovery: Ohio's Systemic Initiative. (March 29, 2012) http://www.ohiorc.org/orc_documents/orc/RichProblems/Discovery-Round_Robin_Tournament.pdf
• Fayers, Matthew. "Mutliple-elimination knockout tournaments with the fixed-win property." Disc. Math. Vol. 290. Page 89-97. 2005. (March 29, 2012) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disc.2004.10.006
• Gus Macker. "Gus Macker History: The Legend of Gus." 2012. (March 29, 2012) http://www.macker.com/about/gus-macker-history.html
• Gus Macker. "Tournaments." 2012. (March 29, 2012) http://www.macker.com/
• Junior Hoops of America. "Mid-America Youth Basketball (MAYB)." Feb. 9, 2011. (March 29, 2012) http://juniorsportsusa.typepad.com/junior_sports_usa/2011/02/mid-america-youth-basketball-mayb.html
• Mull, Richard F., Kathryn G. Bayless and Lynn M. Jamieson. "Recreational Sport Management." 4th ed. Human Kinetics. 2005.
• PrimeTime Sports. "Host Opportunities." (March 29, 2012) http://primetimesportz.com/basketball/hostopportunities/
• PrimeTime Sports. "Tournament Competition Rules." (March 29, 2012) http://primetimesportz.com/basketball/rules/
• Ryvkin, Dmitry. "The Predictive Power of Noisy Elimination Tournaments." CERGE-EI. Working Paper Series 252. March 2005. (March 29, 2012) http://www.cerge.cuni.cz/pdf/wp/Wp252.pdf
• United States Basketball Association. "Host a Tournament." (March 29, 2012) http://www.usbahoops.com/host_a_tournament.htm
• United States Basketball Association. "USBA FAQs." (March 29, 2012) http://www.usbahoops.com/FAQ's.htm

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

Basketball Facility Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Basketball Facility Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their basketball facilities.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a basketball facility business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to easily write a basketball facility business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your basketball facility as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a basketball facility or grow your business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your basketball facility to improve your chances of success. Your basketball facility business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Basketball Facilities

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a basketball facility or multisport complex are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for basketball facility companies.  

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a basketball or other indoor sports facility.

If you want to start a basketball facility or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to easily write each essential component of your basketball facility business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of basketball facility you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a basketball facility that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of basketball facilities?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the basketball facility industry.
• Discuss the type of basketball facility you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of basketball facility you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of basketball facilities:

• Youth training facility: This type of business specializes in providing basketball courts and training for young athletes.
• Professional training facility: This type of business caters to professional and aspiring professional athletes.
• Community gym: This type of business provides basketball courts and other athletic offerings and equipment for members of the general public to use.
• Basketball camp: This type of business provides youth with day-camp activities to improve their basketball skills.

In addition to explaining the type of basketball facility you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of campers registered, and reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the basketball facility industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the basketball facility industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your basketball gym business plan:

• How big is the basketball facility industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your basketball facility? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your basketball facility business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of basketball facility you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Basketball Facility Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other basketball facilities.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of sports training facilities, other types of youth programs, and recreation centers. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of basketball facility are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for your customers to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a basketball facility business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of basketball facility that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide one-on-one coaching sessions, day-camp classes, or professional training programs?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your basketball facility. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your basketball facility located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone basketball courts, or inside a larger multisports complex? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your basketball facility marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your basketball facility, including answering calls, scheduling sessions, invoicing clients, and collecting payments for sessions, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your basketball facility to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your basketball facility’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing basketball facilities. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a basketball facility or successfully running a small basketball camp.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you employ 5 coaches, and will each coach conduct 2 sessions per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your basketball facility, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a basketball facility business:

• Cost of equipment and basketball supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your basketball facility lease or a list of credentials for each of your basketball coaches.  

Writing a business plan for your basketball facility is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert basketball facility business plan; download it to PDF to show banks and investors. You will truly know how to open a basketball facility. You will understand the basketball facility industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful basketball facility.  

Basketball Facility Business Plan Template FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my basketball facility business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your basketball facility business plan.

How Do You Start a Basketball Facility Business?

Starting a basketball facility business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Basketball Facility Business
• Create Your Basketball Facility Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Basketball Facility Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Basketball Facility Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Basketball Facility Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Basketball Facility Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Basketball Facility Business Equipment
• Develop Your Basketball Facility Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Basketball Facility Business
• Open for Business

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Basketball Facility business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan writers can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Basketball Facility Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Basketball Facility Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Basketball Facility business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their own basketball facilities.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Basketball Facility business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Vertical Arc, a startup indoor basketball sports facility, is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The business was founded by Mark Andrews and Peter Knowles, former basketball players for the Dakota Wizards, a National Basketball Association Development Team, housed in Bismarck, North Dakota until 2012. Both Mark and Peter were considered leaders of their team and helped players on their team progress to the next level through training and advice on the part of Mark and Peter. Now that both leaders have moved into positions in the sports memorabilia industry, they believe it is the right time to take their leadership skills and basketball abilities onto the court by opening Vertical Arc, a basketball training facility for amateurs and pro players. Members of the public are also welcome, as are youth and children.

Vertical Arc will provide a comprehensive array of services for those who enjoy playing basketball any time, day or night. In addition to eight courts for on-going play, Vertical Arc hosts a workout room, with free weights and strength-training machines, men’s and women’s showers, steam rooms and an indoor lap pool.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Vertical Arc will provide:

• 8-court basketball facilities; 2 equipped with bleachers
• Tournament play twice a year; try-outs required
• Open basketball play schedules
• 24 hour court reservation system
• Children’s “Snow Days” with activities and games
• Children’s basketball camps (seasonal)
• Men’s workout room; Women’s workout room
• Free weights and strength-training machines
• Men’s shower room; Women’s shower room
• Men’s steam room; Women’s steam room
• Indoor lap pool
• Juice station

Customer Focus

Vertical Arc will target all individuals from ages 5 up in the Grand Forks, North Dakota and surrounding communities. They will target families to invest in “yearly family memberships.” They will target party planners and event coordinators to rent the facilities as an event venue. They will target community associations and groups to rent the facilities as an event venue. They will target area schools to rent the facilities. They will target children, ages 9-14 to invest in “junior championship league” basketball play. They will target parents to enroll their children in basketball fall, winter, spring and summer camps.

Management Team

Vertical Arc will be owned and operated by Mark Andrews and Peter Knowles. They are recruiting one of the basketball team members, Andre Rochelle, to be the senior basketball coach and general manager of the courts.

Mark Andrews and Peter Knowles are former basketball players for the Dakota Wizards, a National Basketball Association Development Team, housed in Bismarck, North Dakota until 2012. Both Mark and Peter were considered leaders of their team and helped players on their team progress to the next level through training and advice.

Both leaders have moved into positions in marketing within the sports memorabilia industry and believe it is the right time to take their leadership skills and basketball abilities onto the court by opening Vertical Arc, a basketball training facility for amateurs and pro players. Members of the public are welcome, as are youth and children.

Andre Rochelle, a former member of the Dakota Wizards with Mark and Peter, is currently the basketball coach at North Dakota State College, where he is an instructor in basketball and leads the men’s team in league play. He will assume the role of Senior Basketball Coach and General Manager of the courts.

Success Factors

Vertical Arc will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team of Vertical Arc
• Comprehensive array of services; including basketball facilities, workout, shower and steam rooms, children’s and youth programs, discounts for family packages and other amenities.
• Vertical Arc offers the best pricing in town for basketball facility memberships. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

Vertical Arc is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch the offices of Vertical Arc. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs at launch. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the financial projections for Vertical Arc.

Company Overview

Who is vertical arc.

Vertical Arc is a newly established full-service basketball training facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Vertical Arc will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for families, individuals and gatherings in Grand Forks and the surrounding communities. Vertical Arc will provide a comprehensive menu of basketball, workout, steam, and swimming services for any family or individual to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a comprehensive program for children ages 5 and up.

  Vertical Arc will be able to encourage good health for individuals, build strength and agility for children, provide a gathering place during inclement weather, and encourage families and gatherings to enjoy the facilities together. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in the game of basketball, coaching of basketball and training in preparation for sports, including basketball. The staff is also proficient in swimming, leading workouts and other physical training and teaching. Vertical Arc removes all headaches and issues of unpredictable weather, summer boredom hours, unsafe play environments, and unsupervised use of workout equipment. Vertical Arc ensures exceptional solutions to all these issues are met expeditiously while delivering the best customer service to their guest members.

Since incorporation, Vertical Arc has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Vertical Arc, LLC to transact business in the state of North Dakota.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where Vertical Arc will set up its office and staff lounge in a 10,000 square foot space.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include Vertical Arc as a family membership.
• Began recruiting a staff of 6 coaches/instructors and office personnel to work at Vertical Arc.

Vertical Arc Services

The following services will be provided by Vertical Arc:

Industry Analysis

The indoor sports facility industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $117,640 million in 2029. The growth will be driven by an increase in the number of individuals who want to maintain good physical condition. The growth will be driven by an increase in children and teens who want to stay active instead of sitting indoors. The growth will be driven by families who want to exercise and play games together, or in tournaments against other families as a form of entertainment. The growth will be driven by individuals who want to increase strength and cardio fitness. The growth will be driven by individuals who want to play basketball without an assigned team or any ongoing commitments. Costs will likely be reduced as an increasing number of indoor sports facilities are built and maintained within communities of individuals and families.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Vertical Arc will target individuals and families in the greater Grand Forks, North Dakota, who are seeking a place to play basketball, workout, swim or enjoy other leisure activities. They will target basketball players seeking league and tournament play. They will also target party planners and event coordinators. They will target families who want a discount membership package. They will target parents who choose to have their children in active play during inclement weather months of the year.

Customer Segmentation

Vertical Arc will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals
• Basketball players (trained and untrained)
• Basketball players seeking league and tournament play
• Party planners and event coordinators
• Community groups and associations
• Schools, including area colleges and high schools

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Vertical Arc will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Allendale Township Sports Club

The Allendale Township Sports Club is a large facility sporting 4 basketball courts, 6 racquetball courts, 4 squash courts, 4 tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a children’s pool, workout rooms, steam and sauna rooms, a dining hall that seats 200 guests, an indoor game area (video arcade games, pool tables, foosball tables), and a specially-equipped Peloton room.

Owned by Chess and MaryAnn Murray, the Allendale Township Sports Facility is a private membership sports club that is a direct competitor to Vertical Arc. The general public may not use the facilities unless accompanied by a club member and there are no “open play” dates for the general public in any area. Membership dues are $150,000 to join, with yearly dues of $25,000, plus required usage of the dining hall and other monthly usage charges.

Grand Forks YMCA Sports Facility

The Grand Forks YMCA Sports Facility is a community-directed, all-inclusive sports center. The facility includes a Fitness Center, Extra-large Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, offering Group Exercise Classes and a Childcare Center to engage children while parents use the facility. There are also community rooms, where speakers can present topics of interest and family-style movies can be presented.

The concept behind the YMCA non-profit organization is one of strengthening family and community ties. This facility holds several meetings monthly to encourage that concept and is led by 3 volunteers who oversee the programs. One executive director, Todd Beaman, is responsible for garnering additional users of the YMCA and adding families to the roster, along with fostering a strong sense of community.

Grand Forks West Sports Courts

The Grand Forks West Sports Courts cater to individuals and families who want to exercise and play active games indoors. The facilities include 4 basketball courts with bleachers, an indoor soccer court, 4 tennis courts, 4 racquetball courts and an indoor swimming pool for adults and children. Situated on the southwest side of Grand Forks, this facility is a direct competitor of Vertical Arc and is open to the public. There are open basketball play hours during the day and limited basketball games through league and tournament play available in the weekday evenings. On the weekends, there are no scheduled games throughout the facility; participants may join any game at any time. Children play in designated courts and swimming areas; otherwise, there are rooms with video games, pool tables, foosball tables and indoor bowling lanes for youth and children to use.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota has an extensive basketball team and regularly offers the indoor courts for public play when the team is not training or practicing. The court players are allowed to use the basketballs and other equipment during play and an attendant is always present to help with any request. Open basketball play hours extend from 7 am to 10 pm on “off training” days. While a direct competitor in some regard, this facility does not include any further amenities other than the basketball courts and, as such, may be defined as an indirect competitor, as well. There are no bleachers for observers, no other rooms, such as workout, showers, steam rooms available. The basketball coaches will sometimes offer to train open-play visitors, which results in excellent training on a casual basis. Children are not accommodated in the facility, nor are teens under the age of 18.

Competitive Advantage

Vertical Arc will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Vertical Arc will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide a comprehensive menu of basketball, swimming, active game play activities and enjoyable amenities, including the juice station.
• Vertical Arc offers a family membership package that is discounted throughout the year. Vertical Arc offers “Children Snow Days,” along with basketball camps, trainings, active game areas, and other child-specific activities.
• Vertical Arc offers a unique juice station, serving only all-natural fruit juices and smoothies.
• Vertical Arc offers unbeatable pricing for the value received in group or family memberships.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Vertical Arc is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

Mark Andrews and Peter Knowles have built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to their customers. These customers have indicated a deep desire to follow them to the new company as soon as it is established. They will also spread the word about Vertical Arc throughout the region.

Professional Associations and Networking

There are several community groups and associations in Grand Forks. As such, Mark and Peter will join and extensively network to help display the capabilities of the Vertical Arc facility. In particular, Mark will target the party planners and event coordinators within the associations and non-profit community groups in Grand Forks.

Print Advertising

One week prior to launch, a direct mail piece will be delivered to each household in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The announcement will include a discounted price for family memberships and for a 2-week window, “2 for 1 visits”. These incentives will help customers overcome any resistance to visiting Vertical Arc to enjoy the facilities and meet new friends.

Website/SEO Marketing

Vertical Arc will utilize their website as a highly-communicative portal of customer information, announcements, services that are available 24/7, children’s programs, youth camps, and all other activities and upcoming games. The website will also list contact information and available or open basketball times for public play. Vertical Arc’s website presence will be enhanced with SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Sports Facility” or “Indoor Sports near me”, Vertical Arc will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Vertical Arc will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Vertical Arc. Operation Functions:

• Mark Andrews will be the Co-owner and President of the company. He will oversee all client relations and event venue marketing.
• Peter Knowles will be the Co-owner and Vice President of the company. His role will be the Operations Manager and he will oversee the financial management of the facility.
• Andre Rochelle will serve as the Senior Basketball Coach and will act as the General Manager of the Courts.
• Denise Swanson will be the Office Manager, responsible for purchasing and oversight of the records, administrative duties and assisting with scheduling.
• Jackson Tyrell will be the Staff Coordinator. He will be in charge of all employee management and services scheduling for each month. He will also take on the role of Human Resources.
• Petra Romanoff will be the Administrative Assistant to Mark Andrews, Peter Knowles and Andre Rochelle, assisting in communication, scheduling and management of facilities.

Milestones:

Vertical Arc will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office and staff lounge space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for Vertical Arc
• 6/1/202X – Finalize distributor contracts for Vertical Arc
• 6/15/202X – Begin networking at association and community events
• 6/22/202X – Begin moving into Vertical Arc office and staff lounge
• 7/1/202X – Vertical Arc opens its doors for business

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Vertical Arc are the fees they will charge to the customers for their services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to operate Vertical Arc. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Vertical Arc is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its indoor sports facility business. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Customers Per Month: 1,890
• Average fees per Month: $120,000
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, basketball facility business plan faqs, what is a basketball facility business plan.

A basketball facility business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your basketball facility business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Basketball Facility business plan using our Basketball Facility Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Basketball Facility Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of basketball facility businesses , some examples include: Youth training facility, Professional training facility, Community gym, and Basketball camp.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Basketball Facility Business Plan?

Basketball Facility businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Basketball Facility Business?

Starting a basketball facility business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Basketball Facility Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed basketball facility business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your basketball facility business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your basketball facility business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Basketball Facility Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your basketball facility business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your basketball facility business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Basketball Facility Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your basketball facility business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your basketball facility business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

• We’re Hiring
• 717.618.8580

• Banquets & Special Occasions
• Corporate & Business
• Conventions
• Fundraisers
• Trade Shows
• Religious Groups
• Tournaments
• What Space Do I Need?
• Business Meetings
• Meeting Rooms
• Meeting Spaces
• Warehouse Hotel
• Spooky Nook Sports
• Forklift & Palate Restaurant
• Catering & Dining
• Audio Visual & Decor
• Fitness & Group Exercise
• Corporate Team Building
• Other Services
• Testimonials
• Directions & Parking

Manheim, PA

Champion mill, hamilton, oh, how to plan and organize a basketball tournament.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. At cursus felis gravida imperdiet imperdiet etiam viverra. Sed sagittis diam quam tempus pretium risus, sodales. Consectetur tincidunt adipiscing nibh interdum magna adipiscing interdum. Neque at senectus neque bibendum leo magna ultricies viverra metus. Cras eleifend auctor semper massa congue. Hendrerit vitae, viverra nunc, phasellus. In ultrices gravida fames hac.

Subscribe to the Blog

Stay up to date.

The rewards of hosting a basketball tournament are worth the time spent planning. Tournaments bring youth and adult teams together for fun, friendly competition. They can also be perfect fundraising events .

If you're hosting a basketball tournament, you'll want to get a hand on the essential items — from choosing a venue to keeping score. Here are the key elements to consider when planning a basketball tournament.

Planning Early

Each minute spent planning a tournament pays off. Organizers need to find an appropriate venue, register teams to compete and book tournament staff.

Choosing a Venue

Your venue is one of the most important items to consider for a basketball tournament. The number of courts, court conditions, and parking are all key elements of a basketball tournament venue. Successful venues are clean, energetic and comfortable for guests to navigate. Access to highways, dining and lodging will help teams and fans commit to your tournament.

Selecting the Dates

Schedule your tournament around sports events, holidays and other conflicts for maximum attendance. If your venue has outdoor courts, plan around seasonal changes to avoid bad weather. Consider choosing a venue with indoor basketball courts for the perfect setting.

Shaping the Tournament

Basketball tournaments can be for youths or adults with variations of play. Organizers must create competition brackets, determine elimination rules and decide on the rules of the game. Think about whether you want to host teams of 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 and play full-court or half-court games.

Staffing the Tournament

Tournaments need referees to officiate. Ensure your venue can book official staff for your tournament. Other vendors to consider are food and beverage service, guest relations and security staff. From ticket-takers to statisticians, check with your venue for help staffing your tournament.

hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2956241, 'e7606104-59a5-4080-97a4-a4c84071f733', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

Registering teams.

Teams need an easy way to enter the tournament. Create registration rules and costs and establish your open and closed registration dates. Organizers must strive to adhere to these dates to ensure fairness for all competitors. Registration should include:

• Player name
• Pricing information
• Open and closed dates
• Tournament dates
• Facility information
• A waiver of liability

Consider adding a waiver to limit your liability. Sports insurance is another way tournaments can cover injuries to players, staff, guests, and volunteers.

Giving Awards

Teams compete to win — give them an award! Medals, ribbons, and trophies are great for recognizing competition winners. Order yours early. Awards help players increase their self-esteem, and give families reasons to take photographs and celebrate.

Host Your Basketball Tournament at Spooky Nook Sports

On the day of the tournament, there is a lot of moving pieces! Delegate as many responsibilities as you can to staff and volunteers.

From scheduling to staffing, we can help. If you're putting together a basketball tournament, contact us. We have 10 full-size indoor hardwood basketball courts on a centrally located campus with an on-site hotel. Get in touch with us today!

Subscribe to our Blog!

Stay up to date with the latest news from Champion Mill Conference Center!

For GPS 75 Champ Blvd. Manheim PA 17545

Spooky Nook Meetings & Events 2913 Spooky Nook Rd. Manheim PA 17545 717.618.8580

GET DIRECTIONS

Have Questions?  CONTACT US

Event Types

• Team Building
• Audio & Visual Decor

Terms & Conditions | Privacy © 2024 Spooky Nook

How to Write a Youth Sports Business Plan

Understanding the youth sports market

Youth sports business plan template, executive summary, organization summary, market analysis summary, strategy and implementation, financial plan, marketing plan, performance metrics and evaluation.

• Growth Opportunities and Future Plans 
• Training Programs : Group and individual coaching sessions for various sports, focusing on skill development, fitness, and game strategy.
• Leagues and Tournaments : Organized competitions for different age groups, with emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Camps and Clinics : Specialized programs during school breaks and holidays, featuring guest coaches and experts in various sports disciplines.
• Sports Equipment and Merchandise : Sale of sports gear, uniforms, and Eastland Bobcats branded apparel.
• Community Outreach : Build relationships with local schools, community centers, and sports clubs to promote our programs and recruit new athletes.
• Marketing : Develop a strong online presence through our website, social media channels, and email campaigns. Use local media outlets and sponsored events to increase brand awareness.
• Partnerships : Secure sponsorships from local businesses and organizations to offset costs and provide additional resources for our programs.
• Continuous Improvement : Regularly evaluate our offerings, coaching methods, and facilities to ensure the highest quality and relevance for our athletes.
• Funding Sources : Membership fees, training program fees, league and tournament registration fees, equipment and merchandise sales, sponsorships, and facility rental income.
• Expenses : Facility maintenance and improvements, staff salaries, marketing and promotional costs, equipment purchases, insurance, and licensing fees.
• Financial Projections : Detailed projections for revenue, budget , expenses, break-even, and cash flow over a three-year period, with annual growth rates and profitability targets.
• Website : Develop a user-friendly and informative website that showcases our programs, services, and facilities. Include registration forms, payment options, and regular updates on events and achievements.
• Social Media : Share news and updates, and showcase our athletes' accomplishments on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Local Advertising : Place ads in local newspapers, magazines, and online community forums, targeting families with children in our age range.
• Community Events : Promote our programs at local events, such as fairs, festivals, and sports tournaments.
• Referral Program : Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by offering discounts or incentives to current participants who refer new athletes to our organization.
• Enrollment Numbers : Monitor the number of athletes enrolled in our programs and the retention rate of existing participants.
• Revenue : Track revenue generated from various sources, including program fees, merchandise sales, and sponsorships.
• Customer Satisfaction : Gather feedback from athletes and their parents through surveys, testimonials, and informal conversations to gauge satisfaction with our initiatives and identify areas for improvement.
• Athlete Development : Analyze our athletes' progress, both on and off the field, to ensure our programs are fostering healthy development.

Growth Opportunities and Future Plans

• Facility Expansion : Acquire additional land or facilities to accommodate a growing number of athletes and expand our range of sports and programs.
• Scholarship Program : Ensure equal access to our programs by providing financial assistance to athletes from low-income families.
• Coach Development : Implement ongoing training and professional development opportunities for our coaching staff to enhance their skills and stay current with industry trends.
• Partnerships : Explore opportunities to collaborate with other sports organizations and community groups to enhance our programs and reach a broader audience.

Tips for running a youth sports organization

1. get a youth sports management platform.

• Create a professional website using customizable templates. 
• Provide seamless online registration for parents. 
• Manage schedules for practices, games, and other events. 
• Communicate with parents and coaches through email and text. 
• Run background checks and manage athlete rosters. 

2. Choose a niche

3. find a good location and facilities, 4. market your league , social media, sponsorship opportunities, local events and networking, 5. get your licenses and permits, 6. obtain insurance, create your youth sports business plan today.

Get Your Basketball Courts Business Essentials Today!

Foster growth with 250+ time-saving, business-specific templates. Swift designs, easy tools, all in one place.

Launching Your Own Basketball Courts Venture

Dreaming of starting your own basketball courts business? Your entrepreneurial journey begins with a comprehensive plan that encompasses location scouting, market research, and securing funds. To dominate the game, you'll need to secure prime real estate that's accessible and visible, creating a go-to hub for basketball enthusiasts. Engaging with your community is crucial; understand their needs to tailor your facilities and services. Ensure you're up-to-date with legal requirements--permits, insurance, and safety protocols cannot be overlooked. With a solid foundation and relentless passion, you're set to build an iconic sports sanctuary that resonates with players of all levels.

The Challenge of Finding the Right Location

When looking into how to start a basketball courts business, one of the first hurdles you'll encounter is finding the perfect location. It's crucial because the success of your venture largely depends on where your court is situated. You want an area that's accessible, visible, and within reach of your target demographic. Keep in mind that you also need ample space not just for the courts but for parking and other amenities. Navigating zoning laws and regulations can be tricky, so it's wise to consult with real estate experts who understand commercial properties.

Securing Adequate Funding

Funding is another challenge that many entrepreneurs face when figuring out how to start this kind of business. Building or leasing a basketball facility is a significant financial investment. You'll likely need to look into loans, investors, or savings to get started. Remember that beyond construction or rental costs, you will have operating expenses like staffing, maintenance, and marketing. A detailed business plan can help you map out these costs and pitch to potential investors with confidence.

Designing Top-Notch Facilities

Your basketball court design can make or break your venture. Players are looking for high-quality surfaces that provide safety and enhance their playing experience. This means investing in good flooring, sturdy hoops, and proper lighting. The aesthetics of your facility also play a role in attracting clientele; it needs to look professional and inviting. Balancing budget constraints with quality requirements demands strategic planning from day one.

Navigating Legal Requirements

Don't overlook the legal aspects of how to start your basketball courts business. Depending on your location, there may be various permits and licenses required to operate legally. These can include building permits, health and safety certifications, and business operation licenses. It's essential to comply with all local laws to avoid fines and shutdowns. Consulting with a lawyer who specializes in business law can save you from future headaches.

Crafting an Irresistible Value Proposition

In today's competitive market, having a strong value proposition is vital. You need to articulate why customers should choose your basketball court over others. Maybe it's the cutting-edge facilities, the exceptional location, or unique services like training clinics and leagues. Your value proposition should reflect in every aspect of your business--from customer service to marketing materials--and resonate with your audience's needs.

Boost campaigns with 250+ editable templates. Save, reuse, and wield design tools for business growth.

Marketing Your Basketball Court Effectively

A superb marketing strategy can catapult your basketball courts business ahead of competitors. Harnessing social media platforms, local advertising, and partnerships with schools or sports clubs are great ways to promote your facility. Always aim for creativity in your campaigns; think about hosting special events or offering opening-day discounts. Engage with your community both online and offline to build brand recognition as well as loyalty.

Maintaining High Standards

Maintenance is key if you want repeat customers at your basketball court business. Regularly inspecting equipment for wear and tear ensures safety standards are met consistently. Providing clean facilities including restrooms, change rooms, and the court itself reinforces a professional image. If maintenance isn't really your game plan--you'll need reliable staff or service contractors who ensure everything runs smoothly without constant supervision from you.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

Last but not least, technology plays a pivotal role in modern businesses--including yours. From booking systems that allow players to reserve courts online to using analytics for decision-making--technology improves efficiency dramatically. For instance, using Desygner--a graphic design tool--can empower you to create eye-catching promotional material easily without needing professional design skills; this helps keep branding consistent while saving time and money.

Unlocking the Potential of a Basketball Courts Business with an Exemplary Start

Embarking on the journey of launching a basketball courts business can be as thrilling as a buzzer-beating shot in a high-stakes game. The initial phase of starting up is not just important--it's pivotal in determining the trajectory of success for your athletic enterprise. A well-conceived inauguration sets the foundation for a robust, flourishing business that resonates with vibrancy and growth potential.

Commencing your basketball courts endeavor with clarity and strategic foresight can spearhead a myriad of positive outcomes. It allows you to establish a compelling brand identity, one that captivates and endears itself to your target audience. An impeccable start cultivates an image of professionalism and competence, which can be incredibly persuasive in attracting clients seeking top-notch facilities for their athletic pursuits.

Moreover, kicking off with an astute understanding of your market dynamics empowers you to tailor your services exquisitely, ensuring they align seamlessly with customer desires and current trends. This level of personalization is often the catalyst for generating enduring loyalty and fostering an environment where every dribble and dunk reinforces the community's bond with your establishment.

A judiciously planned launch also functions as a springboard for operational excellence. It sets into motion efficient processes, high standards of maintenance, and exceptional service quality. These elements coalesce to create an unparalleled user experience, transforming first-time visitors into regular patrons who are eager to return time and again to your courts.

In essence, embracing the significance of 'how to start' translates into laying down a fertile terrain where your basketball courts business can thrive. It's about meticulous preparation meeting unwavering passion--a combination that elevates your venture above the competitors. With such a sterling kickoff, you're not just playing the game; you're revolutionizing it, offering players and enthusiasts an inspiring space where their love for basketball can truly soar.

Wrapping It Up: Launching Your Basketball Court Venture

As we reach the conclusion of our guide on starting a basketball courts business, it's important to recap the essential steps and considerations that will ensure your venture is a slam dunk. From understanding your market to laying down the actual court, each phase must be approached with diligence and strategic planning.

Firstly, market research is indispensable. Knowing your audience and their needs allows you to tailor your services effectively. Secondly, the location of your basketball courts can make or break your business - it should be accessible and appealing to your target demographic. Thirdly, constructing high-quality courts with professional-grade materials will set the foundation for a successful enterprise. Lastly, developing a robust business plan with clear objectives and strategies will guide your path forward.

To elevate your game further, consider these additional tips:

• Invest in solid marketing campaigns to generate buzz and attract players.
• Organize tournaments and events to create a community around your courts.
• Offer coaching clinics or workshops for different skill levels.
• Implement an online booking system for convenience and efficiency.
• Maintain your courts regularly to ensure safety and quality play.
• Create membership packages to foster loyalty and regular income.
• Keep an eye on emerging trends and technologies in sports facilities management.
• Utilize tools like Desygner for creating professional promotional materials affordably and easily.

In summary, launching a basketball courts business requires passion, planning, and execution. Remember to leverage modern resources like Desygner to craft compelling visuals for promoting your venue. By following these guidelines, you'll set up not just a place for games but a cornerstone for community engagement and sportsmanship. Now take that next step - sign up at Desygner today and start designing winning strategies for both on and off the court!

Revolutionizing Basketball Courts Business Marketing

Creating Dynamic Content for Your Basketball Courts Business

UNLOCK YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL!

Get every material you need for your business in just a few clicks

Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

Looking to score big with your basketball tournament? ClickUp's Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template is your winning play! Whether you're an event organizer or a sports marketing pro, this template has everything you need to drive sponsors, boost ticket sales, and create a buzz that fills the stands.

With ClickUp's template, you can:

• Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach your target audience
• Create captivating content across multiple channels, from social media to traditional advertising
• Track and analyze campaign performance to make data-driven decisions that maximize results

Don't leave your tournament's success to chance. Get the ClickUp Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template and make sure your event is a slam dunk!

Benefits of Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template

When using the Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template, you'll experience a range of benefits that will help you create a winning strategy:

• Streamline your marketing efforts by having a clear roadmap and timeline
• Attract sponsors and secure partnerships with a compelling pitch and sponsorship package
• Increase ticket sales by implementing targeted advertising campaigns and promotions
• Generate public awareness through social media, press releases, and influencer collaborations
• Maximize event turnout and revenue by leveraging data analytics and tracking your marketing ROI
• Stay organized and collaborate seamlessly with your team throughout the entire marketing process.

Main Elements of Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template

Planning a basketball tournament requires careful coordination and execution. With ClickUp's Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan template, you can streamline your marketing efforts and ensure a successful event. Here are the main elements of this template:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of the progress of your marketing tasks with statuses like Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Capture important details about each task using custom fields such as Quarter, Task Type, Impact, Progress, Percent Completion, and Effort.
• Custom Views: Utilize different views to gain insights and manage your marketing plan effectively. This includes Key Results to track the performance of your marketing objectives, Timeline to visualize your project schedule, Getting Started Guide to get up to speed quickly, Objectives to set and monitor your marketing goals, and Progress Board to see the overall progress of your tasks.

With ClickUp's Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan template, you can stay organized and ensure a successful marketing campaign for your basketball tournament.

How to Use Marketing Plan for Basketball Tournament

If you're looking to promote a basketball tournament and attract a large audience, follow these six steps to create an effective Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan:

1. Define your target audience

Before you start marketing your basketball tournament, it's crucial to identify your target audience. Determine who your ideal attendees are, such as basketball enthusiasts, families, or local sports fans. Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right people.

Use custom fields in ClickUp to categorize your target audience based on demographics and interests.

2. Set your marketing goals

Establish clear and measurable goals for your tournament marketing. Are you aiming to increase ticket sales, generate social media engagement, or secure sponsorships? Setting specific goals will guide your marketing strategies and help you track your progress throughout the campaign.

Create Goals in ClickUp to track your marketing objectives and monitor your success.

3. Develop your marketing channels

Identify the most effective marketing channels to reach your target audience. Consider utilizing social media platforms, email marketing, local newspapers, radio ads, or partnering with local sports organizations. Each channel has its own strengths and reach, so choose the ones that align with your goals and audience.

Use Automations in ClickUp to streamline your marketing efforts and automate tasks like scheduling social media posts or sending email campaigns.

4. Create compelling content

Craft engaging content to capture the attention of your target audience. Highlight the key features of your basketball tournament, such as star players, exciting matchups, or special events. Use captivating visuals, videos, and testimonials to showcase the excitement and appeal of your tournament.

Utilize the Docs feature in ClickUp to collaborate with your team and create compelling content for your marketing materials.

5. Implement a ticketing and registration system

Make it easy for people to purchase tickets and register for the tournament. Set up an online ticketing platform where attendees can easily access information about the event, purchase tickets, and select their preferred seating. Streamline the registration process by collecting necessary information such as contact details and team affiliations.

Use the Calendar view in ClickUp to manage ticket sales and registration deadlines, ensuring a smooth and organized process.

6. Analyze and optimize

Regularly monitor the performance of your marketing efforts and make necessary adjustments along the way. Track ticket sales, website traffic, social media engagement, and other key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies. Identify what's working well and optimize your marketing plan for better results.

Utilize the Dashboards feature in ClickUp to visualize and analyze your marketing data, making it easier to identify trends and areas for improvement.

By following these steps and utilizing ClickUp's features, you can create a comprehensive Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan that will attract a large and enthusiastic audience to your event.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template

Event organizers and sports marketing professionals can use this Basketball Tournament Marketing Plan Template to help create a comprehensive plan to promote and market their basketball tournament.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a successful marketing plan:

• Use the Key Results View to track and measure the success of your marketing campaigns
• The Timeline View will help you plan out your marketing activities and ensure they are executed on time
• Use the Getting Started Guide View to access all the necessary resources and information to kickstart your marketing efforts
• The Objectives View will help you define your marketing goals and set clear objectives
• The Progress Board View will give you a visual overview of the progress of each marketing activity
• Organize tasks into six different statuses: Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, To Do, to keep track of progress
• Update statuses as you complete tasks to keep team members informed of progress
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure maximum productivity and achieve your marketing goals

Related Templates

• Wedding Photographers Marketing Plan Template
• Commercial Real Estate Marketing Plan Template
• Mattress Store Marketing Plan Template
• Ice Cream Shop Marketing Plan Template
• Nurse Practitioner Marketing Plan Template

Template details

Free forever with 100mb storage.

Free training & 24-hours support

Serious about security & privacy

Highest levels of uptime the last 12 months

• Product Roadmap
• Affiliate & Referrals
• On-Demand Demo
• Integrations
• Consultants
• Gantt Chart
• Native Time Tracking
• Automations
• Kanban Board
• vs Airtable
• vs Basecamp
• vs MS Project
• vs Smartsheet
• Software Team Hub
• PM Software Guide

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Youth Sports Nonprofit Business Plan

Start your own youth sports nonprofit business plan

YouthSports

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Twenty-five percent of Richmond Metro youth participated in organized sports last year, compared with 85 to 90 percent in the suburbs, according to a recent State University report entitled Richmond’s Youth Sport Need Assessment. Currently, there are 40,000 children in the Richmond Metro area between the ages of 6 to 14. In contrast to the metro area, the suburbs have a full array of youth sports with strong financial support. This late start for urban children, especially urban girls, in organized sports robs them of the opportunity for physical activity, coaching, being part of a team, learning skills, and substantial time away from “negative recreation” (drugs, violence or sexual activities).

Clinical studies also show that sports and recreation programs can help youth establish lifelong, healthy, physical activity patterns. Regular physical activity can ward off life-threatening diseases; reduce feelings of depression and anxiety; help control weight and obesity; and build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, according to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.

The children in the city’s core must have the opportunity for a successful start in education and sport regardless of age, race, gender, family composition, income or community. In response to this significant disparity, YouthSports will be created to provide the sports program necessary for Richmond children to have equal opportunity for organized sports.

Thanks to a three-year matching grant from The John Ford Stevenson Foundation (JFSF), YouthSports and several corporate partners plan to utilize organized sports and physical activity programs to promote healthy development in youth.

The JFSF, based in San Francisco, CA, is the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care. It concentrates its grantmaking in three goal areas: to assure that all Americans have access to basic health care at reasonable cost; to improve care and support for people with chronic health conditions; and to reduce the personal, social and economic harm caused by substance abuse; tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Schools and health care centers will host sport registration. The JFSF renewable matching grant is based on the concept that local funding sources have the clearest understanding of their communities’ needs. With matching contributions from local partners, the project will receive substantial funding.

Collaborating partners include:

• BlueCross/BlueShield.
• Mayor Linda Hargrove and the City of Richmond.
• Parks & Recreation Department.
• Richmond Unified School District.
• Templex Corporation.
• A.I. Kaufman and Sons.
• PriceRight Supermarkets.
• Avion Computers.
• The Richmond Mall.
• Richmond Bank.
• Rider Corporation.

With this base of support, YouthSports will raise additional money from program sponsors and fundraising campaigns.

1.1 Objectives

• To increase participation in youth sports and recreation programs in the Richmond Metro area.
• To increase youth access to health care and healthy development.

1.2 Mission

The mission of YouthSports is to create a youth sport program in the Richmond Metro area increasing both sport participation rates and healthy development of the area’s youth.

1.3 Keys to Success

• Utilizing the school system to promote the sports program and recruiting team coaches.
• Minimize field maintenance and facility costs with the school and city park systems.
• Maintaining the City Council’s support to provide scholarship funds for needy youth who want to participate in sports.
• Recruiting more corporate support for the sports program.
• Maintaining a high approval rate with the area’s parents and youth.

Organization Summary organization overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

YouthSports will be a private, non-profit, youth sports program serving children, ages 6-14, in the Richmond Metro area. The focus of the program is to promote youth sport participation, promote healthy development in youth, and increase youth access to health care.

YouthSports has rented office space near the city cent park system. Outdoor sports will be played on public school and park property. Indoor sports will be played in public school gyms.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Start-up costs and initial financing are shown on the following tables and chart.

YouthSports will offer the following sports during the year:

• Flag Football, August-November.
• 1st/2nd Grade Basketball, October-December.
• 3rd-8th Grade Basketball, December-March.
• Spring Soccer, March-May.
• T-Ball/Softball/Baseball, May-July.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

There are 40,000 children in the Richmond Metro area between six to 14 years of age. The age group percentages break down as follows:

• 50% – Ages 6-8.
• 30% – Ages 9-11.
• 20% – Ages 12-14.

Currently, only 10% of 6 -11 year olds in the Richmond Metro area participate in organized sports. More importantly, only 5% of girls in that age group are involved in sports. The current age break down provides YouthSports with an excellent opportunity to impact half of our target group at the youngest ages. This will have a tremendous impact on the success of the program over the next five years. 

It is also important to note that there are over 25,000 children in the Richmond Metro area between the ages of two to five. These children will be entering the YouthSports program within the next three years.

4.1 Market Segmentation

The 2-5 and 6-8 age groups represent over 70% of the children that YouthSports will serve over the next three years. It is critical that the program is prepared to manage the influx of these young children.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

It is critical that YouthSports takes a proactive strategy in promoting its program in the community as well as creating a strong fund-raising program. To accomplish these goals, YouthSports will have two groups overseeing the program’s growth and development. The first will be a 12-member Program Services Group comprising of community members. This group will provide oversight of the program’s service delivery to the community and will also be responsible for building community support for YouthSports. The second group will be a 10-member Finance Group that will have Richmond business representation. The Finance Group will have oversight over the program’s fiscal operation and fund-raising activities.

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

Mobilizing a coaching/supervision base will provide YouthSports the people power necessary to get its message to the entire community.

Sign-up for the program will be simplified by providing participation forms at each school and at the larger community markets. At each location, there will be a collection kiosk where the forms can be dropped off.

5.1 Competitive Edge

YouthSports’ competitive edge is twofold. One is the support of the community’s public resources to build a successful sports program that will have a positive impact on the attitude and health of the area’s children.

The school district has committed to strongly pushing the sports program. Each of the area’s elementary and middle schools will choose a school team name. The name will then be used by the school teams. Sport participation will be promoted in the classroom and volunteer coaches will be allowed to visit classrooms and speak to the children.

The city park system has been pivotal in obtaining sports equipment for the program at a discounted rate, saving the program a large expense.

The program’s second advantage is the support of businesses to have a real impact on the metro youth. The revitalization of the Richmond’s urban center can only be built upon the improved quality of life of metro residents. The current demographics, with the majority of metro children under the age of six, provides a unique opportunity to have a dynamic impact on the area’s youth. Richmond businesses are lining up to become sport sponsors and school team sponsors.

5.2 Fundraising Strategy

YouthSports will be directing its fund-raising program at two groups. One will be the metro area parents, the other will be Richmond’s businesses. Being successful with both groups is key to the program’s future.

• Metro Area Parents : The program’s expectations is that sign-up fees will pay for only 30% of operating cost but the fee is crucial for several reasons. First, without a sense of ownership in the program the community will not support the program over time. Second, a monetary commitment to the program creates an expectation of services that will push the program to become more responsive to the community needs. The third reason, and the most important, is that the fee is an organizing tool to recruit volunteers who will commit to work a number of hours for the program as part of a child scholarship agreement.
• Richmond Businesses : Local businesses can become sponsors of YouthSports sport seasons (like PriceRight can sponsor the Flag Football Season), school teams, or sport tournaments. With the sponsorship will come the opportunity to have the company name on field/facility banners, team uniforms, and YouthSports mass mailings. YouthSports will also have four high-profile fundraisers each year.

5.2.1 Funding Forecast

The following is the funding forecast for three years.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

YouthSports will establish a team to manage the day to day operation of the program.

6.1 Personnel Plan

The program team will have the following positions:

• Assistant Director.
• Volunteer Coordinator.
• Sponsorship/Fundraising Developer.
• Facility Coordinator.
• Coordinator of Game Officials.
• Area Supervisors (3).
• Office Manager.
• Clerical Staff (2).

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following is the Financial Plan for YouthSports for three years.

7.1 Break-even Analysis

The following table and chart show the Break-even Analysis for YouthSports.

7.2 Projected Surplus or Deficit

The following is the Surplus or Deficit of the program’s operation for three years.

7.3 Projected Cash Flow

The following is the Projected Cash Flow of the program’s operation for three years.

7.4 Projected Balance Sheet

The following is the Projected Balance Sheet of the program’s operation for three years.

7.5 Standard Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 7999, Amusement and Recreation, are shown for comparison.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

Basketball Training Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Solomon O'Chucks

Home » Business Plans » Sports Sector

A basketball training and coaching business is a venture that offers specialized instruction, guidance, and coaching services to individuals or groups looking to improve their basketball skills and knowledge of the game.

The business focuses on helping basketball players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced athletes, enhance their performance, develop fundamental skills, and gain a deeper understanding of basketball strategies and tactics.

It is important to note that successful basketball training and coaching businesses often require experienced and knowledgeable coaches who have played the game at a high level and can effectively communicate and teach various basketball concepts.

Building a strong reputation, establishing connections within the basketball community, and maintaining a commitment to player development is essential for the growth and sustainability of such a business.

Steps on How to Write a Basketball Training Business Plan

Executive summary.

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. is a premier basketball training and coaching business based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are in business to empower and elevate basketball players of all ages and skill levels by providing top-notch training, coaching, and mentorship.

With a team of experienced and dedicated coaches, we aim to foster a passion for the game while helping players develop fundamental skills, improve performance, and achieve their basketball goals.

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. is a comprehensive basketball training business that offers a wide range of services, including individual coaching, group training, basketball camps, and clinics. Our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of players, whether they are beginners looking to build a strong foundation or advanced athletes striving to reach the next level of excellence.

Company Profile

A. our products and services.

Skill Enhancement: We provide expert coaching in shooting, dribbling, passing, defense, and other essential basketball skills.

Game Strategy: We teach tactical insights, offensive and defensive strategies, and decision-making skills to help players become smarter and more effective on the court.

Mental Conditioning: Our coaches offer techniques to enhance mental focus, confidence, and resilience, enabling players to perform at their best under pressure.

Fitness and Nutrition: We emphasize the importance of physical conditioning and offer guidance on nutrition to optimize players’ overall health and performance.

Youth Development: Our youth programs focus on instilling a love for basketball in young players while teaching them the fundamentals in a fun and supportive environment.

Online Resources: We provide access to instructional videos, eBooks, and online courses, allowing players to continue their learning beyond in-person sessions.

b. Nature of the Business

Our basketball training and coaching business will operate as a B2C – Business-to-consumer business model.

c. The Industry

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will operate in the sports and recreation industry, more specifically under the category of sports coaching and training services.

d. Mission Statement

At Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc., our mission is to empower athletes with the tools, knowledge, and passion to soar to new heights on and off the basketball court. Through expert coaching, personalized guidance, and a commitment to holistic development, we strive to instill a lifelong love for the game while nurturing character, teamwork, and personal growth.

e. Vision Statement

Our vision at Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. is to be the premier destination for basketball players seeking unparalleled coaching, transformative growth, and unwavering support. We envision a community of athletes who not only excel in basketball skills but also demonstrate leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship.

f. Our Tagline (Slogan)

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. – “ Elevate Your Game, Soar Beyond Limits!”

g. Legal Structure of the Business (LLC, C Corp, S Corp, LLP)

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will be formed as a Limited Liability Company, LLC.

h. Our Organizational Structure

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
• Training Manager
• Accountant (Cashier)
• Marketing and Sales Officer
• Coach and Trainers (5)
• Customer Care Executive

i. Ownership/Shareholder Structure and Board Members

• Bryant McConnel (Owner and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer) 51 Percent Shares
• James Yorke (Board Member) 19 Percent Shares
• Rhoda Kobe (Board Member) 10 Percent Shares
• Dwight Jordan (Board Member) 10 Percent Shares
• Elsie Anderson (Board Member and Secretary) 10 Percent Shares.

SWOT Analysis

A. strength.

• Eagles® boasts a team of experienced coaches who have played at high levels, ensuring expert guidance and mentorship for players.
• The business offers a holistic approach to training, covering skill development, mental conditioning, and game strategy, giving it a competitive edge.
• Eagles® focuses on individualized coaching, and tailoring programs to meet each player’s unique needs and goals.
• Positive testimonials and successful player outcomes have contributed to a strong reputation within the local basketball community.
• Owning or securing access to quality training facilities enhances the training experience for players.

b. Weakness

• Starting and operating a comprehensive training business requires a significant upfront investment for facility rental, coaching staff salaries, and marketing efforts.
• An initial focus on a specific geographic area could limit potential clients if expansion efforts are not implemented.
• Demand for basketball training can be seasonal, potentially leading to fluctuations in revenue throughout the year.

c. Opportunities

• Increasing interest in basketball and a focus on player development present opportunities to tap into a growing market.
• Expanding online resources and offering virtual coaching can attract a broader audience and provide ongoing revenue streams.
• Collaborating with schools, local sports organizations, and community centers can lead to increased visibility and client referrals.
• Offering specialized training programs for youth players can create a foundation for long-term engagement and growth.

i. How Big is the Industry?

The sports and recreation industry that the basketball training and coaching business is a part of is a significant sector within the global economy. As a matter of fact, in 2019, a report by PwC estimated the global sports market to be worth around $488.5 billion.

ii. Is the Industry Growing or Declining?

The basketball training and coaching business industry was experiencing growth and popularity. Basketball is a widely played and watched sport globally, with a dedicated fan base and participation at various levels, from recreational to professional.

The demand for basketball facilities, training programs, leagues, and tournaments has been on the rise, especially in regions where basketball is highly popular.

iii. What are the Future Trends in the Industry?

The use of data analytics and wearable technology will become more prevalent in training. Coaches will have access to advanced metrics that provide insights into players’ performance, allowing for more targeted and personalized training regimens.

Online coaching platforms and virtual reality technology will enable coaches to provide remote training and analysis. Players will have access to expert coaching from anywhere in the world. Training programs will increasingly prioritize injury prevention and recovery techniques.

Coaches will work closely with sports therapists and medical professionals to ensure players’ physical health. Coaches will offer specialized training for specific positions on the basketball court, catering to the unique skills and responsibilities of guards, forwards, centers, etc.

Beyond on-court skills, coaches will emphasize character development, leadership skills, and life skills to prepare players for success both inside and outside of basketball. With advancements in technology, coaches will create training plans that adapt to players’ progress and performance, allowing for real-time adjustments.

iv. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no niche ideas when it comes to basketball training and coaching line of business. This is so because the basketball training and coaching business is a niche idea in the sports and recreation industry.

v. Can You Sell a Franchise of Your Business in the Future?

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. have plans to sell a franchise in the near future and we will target major cities with growing interest in basketball in the United States of America.

• The presence of other basketball training businesses in the area could lead to competition for clients and market share.
• Economic downturns could impact discretionary spending on sports-related services like coaching and training.
• Changes in regulations related to sports activities, health and safety protocols, and facility usage could affect business operations.
• Rapid technological changes might require continuous adaptation to keep up with virtual training platforms and tools.

i. Who are the Major Competitors?

• IMG Academy Basketball
• P3 Sports Inc.
• Impact Basketball
• Pure Sweat Basketball
• The Scoring Factory
• Accelerate Basketball
• John Lucas Enterprises
• Point 3 Basketball
• Breakthrough Basketball
• Ganon Baker Basketball
• Hoop Mountain Basketball
• Hardwood Palace
• A Step Ahead Basketball
• Elite Basketball Training
• Elevate Basketball Academy
• Pro Skills Basketball
• The Basketball Warehouse
• Rising Stars Basketball.

ii. Is There a Franchise for Basketball Training and Coaching Business?

No, there are no franchise opportunities for basketball training and coaching business.

iii. Are There Policies, Regulations, or Zoning Laws Affecting the Basketball Training Business ?

Yes, there are various policies, regulations, and zoning laws that can affect a basketball training and coaching business in the United States. Policies, regulations, and zoning laws can vary at the local, state, and federal levels in the United States.

Local zoning regulations may specify whether basketball facilities are allowed in residential, commercial, or mixed-use zones. It is important to review the zoning requirements and obtain the necessary permits and approvals for the construction or operation of basketball courts or facilities.

Noise regulations can affect basketball training and coaching businesses, especially if the facilities are located in residential areas.

Local ordinances may set limits on the permissible noise levels during specific hours of the day. Compliance with noise regulations may require implementing sound mitigation measures or setting specific operating hours for basketball activities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets accessibility standards for public accommodations, including sports facilities.

Marketing Plan

A. who is your target audience.

i. Age Range: The facility aims to cater to basketball enthusiasts of all ages. This includes children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and even senior individuals who have a passion for basketball.

ii. Level of Education: There is no specific educational requirement for the target audience.

iii. Income Level: The facility aims to be inclusive and serve individuals from different income levels.

iv. Ethnicity: Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. aims to be inclusive and welcomes individuals from all ethnic backgrounds.

v. Language: While the primary language of communication may be English, the facility strives to accommodate individuals who speak different languages.

vi. Geographical Location

The target audience for Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. primarily resides in or around Tulsa, Oklahoma. The facility aims to attract individuals from the local community, nearby neighborhoods, and potentially even visitors or tourists with a passion for basketball.

vii. Lifestyle

The facility caters to individuals with an active and sporty lifestyle. It appeals to basketball players who are passionate about the sport, seek to improve their skills, engage in competitive play, or simply enjoy recreational basketball activities.

b. Advertising and Promotion Strategies

• Host Themed Events That Catch the Attention of Potential Clients.
• Tap Into Text Marketing.
• Use FOMO to Run Photo Promotions.
• Share Your Events in Local Groups and Pages.
• Turn Your Social Media Channels into a Resource
• Develop Your Business Directory Profiles
• Build Relationships with other indoor sports and recreational service providers and related organizations in our Area

i. Traditional Marketing Strategies

• Marketing through Direct Mail.
• Print Media Marketing – Newspapers & Magazines.
• Broadcast Marketing -Television & Radio Channels.
• OOH Marketing – Public Transit like Buses and Trains, Billboards, Street shows, and Cabs.
• Leverage on direct sales, direct mail (postcards, brochures, letters, fliers), tradeshows, print advertising (magazines, newspapers, coupon books, billboards), referral (also known as word-of-mouth marketing), radio, and television.

ii. Digital Marketing Strategies

• Social Media Marketing Platforms.
• Influencer Marketing.
• Email Marketing.
• Content Marketing.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Marketing.
• Affiliate Marketing
• Mobile Marketing.

iii. Social Media Marketing Plan

• Start using chatbots.
• Create a personalized experience for each of our clients.
• Create an efficient content marketing strategy.
• Create a community for our freelance marketers and influencers.
• Gear up our profiles with a diverse content strategy.
• Use brand advocates.
• Create profiles on relevant social media channels.
• Run cross-channel campaigns.

c. Pricing Strategy

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will adopt the following pricing strategies:

• Cost-Plus Pricing
• Value-Based Pricing
• Competitive Pricing
• Dynamic Pricing
• Bundle Pricing

Please note that our pricing strategy is based on a careful analysis of the costs and profitability of the business, as well as the needs and preferences of the target customer base.

Sales and Distribution Plan

A. sales channels.

Our channel sales strategy will involve using partners and third parties—such as referral partners, affiliate partners, freelance marketers, and social media influencers to help refer clients to us.

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will also leverage the 4 Ps of marketing which is the place, price, product, and promotion. By carefully integrating all these marketing strategies into a marketing mix, we can have a visible, in-demand service that is competitively priced and promoted to our patients and donors.

b. Inventory Strategy

The fact that we will need basketball supplies per time means that Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will operate an inventory strategy that is based on a day-to-day methodology for ordering, maintaining, and processing items in our warehouse.

We will develop our strategy with the same thoroughness and attention to detail as we would if we were creating an overall strategy for the business.

c. Payment Options for Customers

Here are the payment options that Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will make available to her donors and contributors.

• Bank Transfers
• Credit or Debit Card
• Electronic Payment Systems such as PayPal or Venmo.

d. Return Policy, Incentives, and Guarantees

Return Policy: As a Basketball training and coaching business, we will implement a return policy that allows customers to cancel their booking or reschedule for a future date if they are unable to attend training due to unforeseen circumstances.

Incentives: To encourage repeat business and positive customer reviews, we will offer various incentives to customers. We will offer loyalty programs where customers earn points for every visit and can redeem them for discounts or freebies. We will also offer special discounts to customers who refer friends or family to our center.

Guarantees: As a basketball training and coaching business, we will guarantee the safety and quality of our services to our customers. We will do this by ensuring that all equipment is well-maintained and that all staff are trained in safety protocols and are available to assist customers as needed.

e. Customer Support Strategy

Our customer support strategy will involve ensuring that clients have easy access to our multiple communication channels, such as email, phone, and social media. We will also make sure that all contact information is clearly displayed on the business’s website and promotional materials.

We will foster a culture of putting clients first, where staff are trained to listen actively and empathize with clients’ needs. We will implement a CRM system to manage client data, track appointments, and follow-up activities.

Operational Plan

Our operational plan will involve developing and marketing a range of basketball programs and services that cater to clients with different needs, including children and people with disabilities, veterans, and professionals.

Overall, we plan to expand our revenue by 25 percent in the second year and the plan will include a marketing, sales, and operations component. The operations component of the plan would include attracting partnerships and referrals that will enable the firm to boost our service offerings and support revenue growth.

a. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Basketball Training and Coaching Business?

• Coaches and staff arrive early to prepare the training facility. This includes setting up equipment, ensuring the court is ready, and organizing any necessary materials for the day’s sessions.
• The main portion of the day is dedicated to skill development sessions. Players are grouped based on age and skill level, and they engage in drills and exercises specific to various basketball skills such as shooting, dribbling, passing, defense, and more.
• Coaches and staff might use the evening to attend to administrative tasks, such as scheduling sessions, responding to inquiries, and planning future training programs.
• If working with youth players, coaches may communicate with parents to provide updates on their child’s progress and address any concerns.
• At the end of the day, staff members clean up the facility and prepare it for the next day of operations.

b. Production Process

There is no production process when it comes to a basketball training and coaching business.

c. Service Procedure

The service procedure for a basketball training and coaching business involves a series of steps that ensure a smooth and effective experience for both the coaches and players.

Throughout the service procedure, a basketball training and coaching business aims to provide a positive and enriching experience for players, supporting their growth as athletes. Flexibility, personalized attention, and a commitment to player development are key factors in delivering a successful training and coaching service.

d. The Supply Chain

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will establish a business relationship with wholesale supplies of basketball training and coaching supplies and merchandise.

e. Sources of Income

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will make money from:

• Training Sessions and Programs
• Membership Fees
• Online Resources
• Camps and Workshops
• Private Coaching
• Youth Development Programs
• Team Training
• Seminars and Webinars
• Special Events
• Merchandise and Apparel.

Financial Plan

A. amount needed to start our basketball.

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. would need an estimate of $1.2 million to successfully set up our basketball training and coaching business in the United States of America. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all our staff for the first month of operation.

b. What are the Cost Involved?

• Business Registration Fees – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $7,300.
• Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – $5,000.
• Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
• Insurance – $5,400.
• Rent/Lease – $550,000.
• Other start-up expenses include commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($2,800).
• Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $70,000
• Start-up inventory – $85,000
• Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
• Equipment and maintenance – $150,000
• Website: $600
• Opening party: $3,000
• Miscellaneous: $2,000

c. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will not initially build a new facility for our basketball training and coaching business; we intend to start with a long-term lease and after 5 years, we will start the process of acquiring our own facility.

d. What are the Ongoing Expenses for Running a Basketball Training Business?

• Rent or lease payments
• Utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and other utilities needed to operate the facility
• Equipment maintenance
• Staff salaries.
• Marketing and advertising
• Supplies such as basketballs, rings, nets, and court accessories, and other supplies like cleaning materials, first aid kits, and office supplies.
• Taxes and permits
• Credit card processing fees
• Renting additional equipment.

e. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner) – $55,000 per year
• Training Manager – $40,000 per year
• Accountant (Cashier) – $36,0000
• Marketing and Sales Officer – $35,000 per year
• Coach and Trainers – $35,000 per year
• Customer Care Executive – $25,396 per year.

f. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Basketball Training Business?

• Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
• Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
• Pitching our business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
• Source for soft loans from our family members and friends.

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

Individual Sessions: Individual training sessions with a skilled coach can range from $50 to $150 per hour or more, depending on the coach’s expertise and location.

Group Sessions: Group training sessions typically cost less per participant than individual sessions. Prices might range from $20 to $60 per session.

Camps and Clinics: Multi-day camps and clinics can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the duration, intensity, and added features.

Membership Packages: Monthly membership packages that provide access to a certain number of sessions can range from $100 to $300 or more.

Specialized Skill Training: Intensive training programs focused on specific skills (e.g., shooting, ball handling) might cost $150 to $500 or more, depending on the duration and level of expertise.

Online Resources: Online training programs, video subscriptions, and eBooks can range from $20 to $100 or more, depending on the depth and quality of the content.

Youth Development Programs: Long-term programs for youth players might range from $500 to $1,500 or more for a season, covering multiple sessions.

Private Coaching Packages: Premium private coaching packages that offer personalized attention and rapid improvement can range from $500 to $1,000 or more.

b. Sales Forecast?

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $380,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $500,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $580,000

c. Estimated Profit You Will Make a Year?

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): (20% of revenue generated)
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): (25% of revenue generated)
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): (30% of revenue generated)

d. Profit Margin of a Basketball Training Business 

The ideal profit margin we hope to make at Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will be between 20 and 30 percent on service charges.

Growth Plan

A. how do you intend to grow and expand by opening more retail outlets/offices or selling a franchise.

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. will grow our basketball training and coaching business by first opening other facilities in key cities in the United States of America within the first five years of establishing the organization and then will start selling franchises from the tenth year.

b. Where do you intend to expand to and why?

Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. plans to expand to

• Boston, Massachusetts
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• San Francisco, California
• Miami, Florida
• Houston, Texas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Portland, Oregon
• Los Angeles, California
• Chicago, Illinois
• New York City, New York.

The reason we intend to expand to these locations is the fact that these cities have a thriving market for basketball and other sports.

The founder of Eagles® Basketball Training and Coaching, Inc. plans to exit the business via family succession. We have positioned structures and processes in place that will help us achieve our plan of successfully transferring the business from one family member to another and from one generation to another without difficulties.

The company has successfully developed a detailed transition plan to smoothly hand over responsibilities to the new successor. This includes transferring ownership, training key personnel, and communicating with employees, customers, and suppliers about the change.

Related Posts:

• Golf Course Resort Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Driving Range Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Boxing Gym Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Football Viewing Center Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Ice Skating Rink Business Plan [Sample Template]

Basketball Trainer

Connect With Trainers, Camps, Select Teams, and Knowledge

150 Growth Hacks For Basketball Training Businesses

March 31, 2023 By basketballtrainer

Basketball training businesses growth action steps are specific activities designed to help you grow your impact and bottom line.  In 10 years of owning my own basketball training business, plus 20 more years in business development across the Home Building, Nightclubs, and Digital Marketing industries… I recognize that if you are not growing, you are dying.   And that constant improvement is critical to your business success.

I recently read “150 Business Lessons” by Herby Fabius which is a comprehensive guide for all business owners.   We are focused on curating best basketball business lessons for basketball training business owners, providing actionable insights and advice to help them grow and succeed. The book covers a wide range of topics, including marketing strategies, client acquisition and retention, innovative training techniques, and diversification of services.  We are inspired by the book and wrote 150 Action Steps growth mindset basketball business owners can try to grow their impact and profits.  

To make the most of the valuable information provided in this book, basketball training businesses should take the following steps:

Prioritize: Identify the most relevant and impactful lessons for your specific business. Focus on addressing immediate needs or areas of improvement.

Develop a strategic plan: outline a plan to implement the chosen lessons and action steps. set realistic short-term and long-term goals, and create a timeline for achieving them., involve your team: share the insights and action steps with your staff or colleagues. encourage collaboration and input from everyone involved in your business., monitor progress: track your progress towards your goals and adjust your plan as needed. regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented action steps and modify your strategy accordingly., stay up-to-date: continuously update your skillset and knowledge, as suggested in lesson 150. attend conferences, workshops, and networking events to stay current with industry trends and innovations., measure success: use key performance indicators (kpis) to measure the success of the implemented action steps. this will help you determine the effectiveness of your strategy and make data-driven decisions., iterate and improve: as you implement the action steps and monitor your progress, learn from your successes and failures. continuously refine your approach to ensure long-term growth and success for your basketball training business ..

By reading and selecting some of these action steps, basketball training business owners can effectively apply the lessons from successful owners across many industries.  

Basketball Business Basics

While “150 Business Lessons” by Herby Fabius provides numerous actionable insights and strategies for basketball training business owners, the book does not specifically go into some business basics you need to understand.  We do curate and offer specific basketball action steps you can take.   However, there are some general concepts that are crucial for basketball training business owners to consider in the macro aspect:

• Market Size: Understanding the size of the basketball training market, both locally and globally, helps business owners gauge the potential for growth and expansion.
• Customer Demographics: Knowing the age, gender, and income levels of your target audience will enable you to tailor your services and marketing efforts more effectively.
• Competition Analysis: Analyzing your competition, including their market share, strengths, and weaknesses, can provide insights into how you can differentiate your business and attract more clients.
• Customer Retention Rate: Tracking the percentage of clients who continue to use your services over time can help you identify areas for improvement in customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Average Revenue per Client: Knowing the average revenue generated per client will assist you in setting pricing strategies and identifying opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.
• Client Acquisition Cost: Understanding the cost of acquiring new clients, including marketing expenses and other related costs, can help you make informed decisions about your marketing budget and strategies.
• Client Testimonials and Reviews: Keeping track of client feedback, including testimonials and reviews, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your training programs and the overall satisfaction of your clients.

Basketball Business Lessons &  Takeaways Framework 

I recommend you make a spreadsheet with separate tabs for the following business growth areas:

• Marketing and Client Acquisition
• Client Retention and Satisfaction
• Business Growth and Diversification 
• Training Techniques and Innovations

Cut and paste the lesson and action step that you choose from below and paste it into the correct growth area tab.  One cannot choose all of these in one growth sprint, choose according to need and ability to implement.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.”  – Peter Drucker

“In a basketball training business, pivoting isn’t failure any more than it is on the court; it’s listening to your customers and seeing the obstacles and making necessary changes to serve them better.”  Chris Corbett 

“success in your basketball training business comes from finding the right balance between coaching and business skills.” – chris corbett, related posts:.

Welcome to Basketball Trainer -

Your connection to expert & passionate basketball trainers in both your city and online. we are committed to your basketball success., welcome to basketball trainer…, your connection to expert & passionate basketball trainers, basketball teams, basketball camps and all basketball products and apps designed to improve your game.  we are committed to your basketball success., meet our team and learn more about our mission.  click here…, featured course.

There are many basketball courses for all skills, ages, budgets and goals.   We help you sift thru all the garbage to find the goals for each of … Learn more...

Featured Drill

 We Hope You Enjoyed The Basketball Trainer Drill of The Month Special Thanks To Friend USC Coach Chris Capko for his excellent teaching and my … Learn more...

Featured Product / App

The BasketballTrainer.com team is comprised of former college &  pro players and coaches focused on the needs of American youth basketball … Learn more...

Have A Basketball Biz?

Our team gathers basketball training resources from basketball trainers and in some cases for basketball trainers and their students.  Stay tuned for … Learn More

404 Not found

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

College basketball is changing. UConn’s crushing superiority stays the same

Transfer portals, NIL deals and the lure of the NBA make sustained success difficult. But the Huskies are building a mini-dynasty under Dan Hurley

T he University of Connecticut already had a men’s basketball dynasty. How else to describe a program that had won five national titles since 1999, with those victories coming under three different head coaches? If dynasties are hereditary, the Huskies passed theirs from Jim Calhoun to Kevin Ollie to their current boss, Dan Hurley. All that happened on Monday night was a set of affirmations – that Hurley has built something even better than Connecticut had before. And that, for now, the only other team that compares is Dawn Staley’s unbeaten South Carolina in the women’s game.

A 75-60 win over Purdue in the national championship game was a master class in every sense. The Boilermakers had a player who has been the best in men’s college basketball for two years: the running, hulking center Zach Edey. Hurley’s team had a plan, which revealed itself as the night went on: UConn would take their chances and let Edey bang away near the basket, but they would otherwise cut Purdue’s strengths out from under them. The Boilermakers were one of the country’s best three-point-shooting teams all season, making more than 40% of their shots from beyond the arc. On Monday, they went 1-for-7 from that range. Edey’s 37 points didn’t matter when the other Purdue players had 23 combined. UConn’s scoring attack, on the other hand, came in waves, a perfect testament to the depth Hurley has built at his outpost in Storrs, Connecticut.

Hurley is flatly the best coach in men’s college basketball right now. His profession is at a generational crossroads, as several legends of the game have retired over the past few years, or will soon. (So long, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, and Jay Wright.) Not exactly young at 51 but with lots of career left if he wants it, Hurley has established himself as the leader of a new generation of college coaches. He has done that by winning: Two national titles in a row put him in rare air, and all 12 opponents in the past two NCAA tournaments lost to him by at least 13 points. “What could you say? We won. By a lot, again,” Hurley told reporters afterward. Indeed they did.

But Hurley’s Connecticut stand out for their manner of victory as much as the extent of it. He has staged his ascent at a moment of change in college sports. Players can now collect money from third parties , and the combination of those payments and recently loosened transfer rules mean that roster management is nothing like what it was in the days of Hurleys’ retired peers. At the same time, programs that rely too heavily on the recruitment of high school superstars have fallen short in tournament after tournament. Kentucky’s John Calipari, the poster boy for that method, looks to be bolting .

In that chaotic environment, UConn are a picture of stability. The Huskies do recruit NBA talent. Several players from last year’s champs have joined the league, and more are coming. (Guard Stephon Castle and center Donovan Clingan are about to become wealthy young men.) But the Huskies are not a magnet for legions of star recruits who leave college after one season, even if Castle soon does. At the same time, Hurley has worked the transfer portal effectively without blocking the growth of too many players on his own roster. Tristen Newton, the guard who led this team in scoring, played three years at East Carolina before joining up at UConn and playing a vital role on back-to-back title teams.

None of this is all that splashy, and it’s why a program that has two titles in two years and six in 26 will never have the same mainstream cachet of Duke or Kentucky. Those programs are eternal stopovers for future top NBA picks, and they hold a cultural perch that will remain elusive to everyone else. The genius of Connecticut is that the Huskies don’t care about those style points, nor have they let a lack of them prevent the program from lapping the likes of Duke and Kentucky in recent championships. (Since the turn of the century, the count of championships is UConn five, Duke and Kentucky a combined four.)

UConn have done their business over a long enough timespan that there is not much reason to expect it to abate soon. The Huskies have had a few messy down years, but their success has been stunningly durable given the transformations that have occurred around them. They have not only won it all under three coaches but in what amounts to three different conferences. They won their first three men’s titles in the old edition of the Big East, which had a handful of Eastern religious colleges and a mix of secular schools that have since made football-driven moves to other leagues. UConn did too, for a moment, and won another title in the American Athletic. They returned home to a reconstituted Big East after realizing that the move made no sense. Two more titles have flowed forth.

All of which is to say: Nobody knows how long Hurley will be at UConn. Nobody knows how the team’s roster may change from year to year. But everyone knows the Huskies have become one of a kind. And after Monday, even fewer could protest that they have crafted a multi-generational dynasty.

• NCAA Tournament 2024
• NCAA Tournament
• College basketball
• College sports

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

How Alabama basketball landed Mark Sears, putting Crimson Tide on path to Final Four

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Antoine Pettway sat back, chewed on his sandwich and munched on his chips. Meanwhile, Mark Sears talked on the phone at the Subway.

That day in April 2022, on the campus at Ohio University, Sears was calling to tell coaches at other programs he wouldn’t be joining them. The guard phoned the likes of Gonzaga, Texas and more. He told them he knew where he was going. He would be playing for Alabama basketball.

That day, Sears was going to announce to the world he was transferring from Ohio to the Crimson Tide. The Muscle Shoals native was returning home.

He posted the graphic right there at the Subway with Pettway, who was then an Alabama basketball assistant coach.

“It was just amazing to see the delight in his face because he was going to have a chance to live out his dream and play for the University of Alabama,” Pettway told the Tuscaloosa News on Wednesday.

That decision not only changed Sears’ life, but it also would change Alabama basketball. Sears, two years later, has been the best player on the first Crimson Tide men's team to reach the Final Four. Sears and Alabama will face UConn on Saturday at State Farm Stadium.

“I wanted to lead a team to get to the Final Four,” Sears said Thursday. “When I was in the transfer portal, that’s what I was telling every coach that recruited me: ‘I want to have the opportunity to lead you to the Final Four.’”

Two years later, he fulfilled it.

How did Alabama make the move and land a player who would eventually lead the Crimson Tide to the Final Four? Here’s the backstory of the program-altering roster move.

NATE OATS: Inside Nate Oats' long-winding journey to the Final Four

ALABAMA BASKETBALL: How Alabama basketball built its best offense ever

Another chance for Alabama basketball to pursue Mark Sears

Derek Rongstad walked into Pettway’s office two years ago with a message. Then Alabama’s video coordinator, Rongstad had to pass on what he learned about Sears.

This kid is better than anybody we’re recruiting. We need to jump all over him. This kid is really freaking good.

From that day on, Alabama was all in on trying to add Sears, who was in the transfer portal.

The Crimson Tide wanted to bring in a veteran guard. It had all kinds of exciting young talent set to join (Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney, etc.) but it wanted some experience to go with those youngsters. Enter Sears, who had spent two seasons at Ohio.

SCOUTING REPORT: Alabama basketball vs UConn prediction: Who has edge in Final Four of NCAA Tournament?

REQUIRED READING: Inside the speech that changed Alabama basketball season en route to March Madness run

Pettway, now the head coach at Kennesaw State, had known about Sears since he was 15. Pettway had watched him play on the AAU circuit. But Alabama, and most schools, didn’t offer Sears. He only had a few offers coming out of high school, and none at the high-major level.

Pettway said Sears has always been a competitor and made winning plays, but Sears’ shooting wasn’t as good back then. So he didn’t get recruited much.

"Mark was less than lightly recruited," AAU coach Scott Whittle said in 2023. "I have been on in-home visits with coaches where I thought they were going to offer him, then they didn't."

That changed after two seasons at Ohio. Sears shot 40.8% from beyond the arc his second season and averaged 19.6 points, 5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

Pettway started hearing Sears’ name again while talking to a scout who mentioned his next stop would be a trip to Ohio to watch Sears.

“That kind of sparked my interest,” Pettway said.

Once Sears decided to enter the transfer portal, a host of schools were interested in him. His hard work at Ohio had paid off.

“I just had the mentality that I want to prove people wrong,” Sears told The Tuscaloosa News in 2023. “That’s really how I looked at it. I just knew if I put my head down and kept working, good things were going to come.”

And they did, including an offer to play in his home state. Alabama was the first team to call the day he went into the transfer portal. It was Pettway who rang.

You ready to come home?

The press from Nate Oats

Sears didn’t make the decision to commit that first time Pettway called. He had to think about it first, of course.

That gave Alabama coach Nate Oats a chance to develop a relationship with Sears. Oats told Sears the plan Alabama had for him and how it would use him. He showed Sears that the Crimson Tide had a young talented team coming in, and that Alabama could be elite if it had a guy who can handle and shoot the ball such as Sears.

“Coach Oats did a tremendous job,” Pettway said. “He recruited him hard after we identified this was the guy we wanted to go after.”

After one conversation with Sears wrapped up, Oats immediately called Pettway.

I think Mark knows what he wants to do.

Once Sears got together with his family and prayed about it, he “just had a good feeling about it,” he said.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl called to offer Sears the morning he committed to Alabama, “but it was kind of too late for it for me to make any decision,” Sears said in 2023.

He was going with the school that had pursued him instantly. He was coming back home to play for Alabama. He made the choice without even taking an official visit.

“Seeing the success Coach Oats had in the previous years, I just really saw that I could fit in his system,” Sears said Thursday.

What is Mark Sears’ place in Alabama basketball history?

Sears was the second-leading scorer behind Brandon Miller on an Alabama team that won the SEC and was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Then Sears became even better this season.

With Miller off to the NBA, Sears took the lead in 2023-24. He has averaged 21.5 points per game, shooting 43.4% from deep while providing clutch shooting in the NCAA Tournament. His efforts this season earned him consensus second-team All-America honors. Sears now owns Alabama’s single-season scoring record, something he broke during the Sweet 16 game against UNC.

“Offensively, he’s been one of the best players in the country all year,” Oats said. “We would not be in the Final Four if it wasn’t for Mark Sears’ defense, leadership. He’s turned it around a lot in regard to that the last month.”  

So where does Sears rank among all-time Alabama players? There’s no better person to ask than Pettway, the former Alabama guard and assistant coach who grew up in the state.  

“We’ve had some great players come through the University of Alabama, but Mark Sears, he’s stamped his legacy,” Pettway said. “He had had one of the most memorable NCAA Tournaments in the history of the University of Alabama. He’s going to go down as a legend in my book.”

Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him  @_NickKelly  on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter .

Women's NCAA basketball's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2024-25

Take a look at the numbers and storylines behind ESPN's way-too-early women's basketball rankings for the 2024-25 season. (1:52)

The landscape of women's college basketball is going to look very different when November arrives and the 2024-25 season begins.

Caitlin Clark will be gone. So will Angel Reese . The Pac-12 will be no more.

USC , UCLA , Oregon and Washington will be in the Big Ten. Oklahoma and Texas will be calling the SEC home. They will be replaced in the Big 12 by Arizona , Arizona State , Colorado and Utah . Gonzaga will have to hold off newcomers Oregon State and Washington State to remain the dominant program in the WCC. Stanford and Cal , along with SMU , will be forging new rivalries with Notre Dame and NC State in the ACC.

The NCAA tournament could have some changes , too.

And with transfers still making decisions and so many players eligible to use a fifth year per the COVID-19 waiver, this top 25 will likely change too. Plenty. But the offseason starts now. Here's our Way-Too-Early Top 25.

1. South Carolina Gamecocks

A third consecutive undefeated regular season might be too much to ask, but that doesn't mean South Carolina won't be the favorite. At this point, Kamilla Cardoso is the only player set to leave. Her inside dominance will be missed, but the Gamecocks won five games this season without her. The deep backcourt of Raven Johnson , Bree Hall , Te-Hina Paopao , MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson looks even better heading into the 2024-25 season. Sania Feagin , Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts should be ready to take over the frontcourt and will welcome 6-foot-2 Joyce Edwards , the No. 2-rated recruit in the country, according to HoopGurlz.

2. Texas Longhorns

Expect Madison Booker to slide back to the wing and form what could be the nation's best backcourt with Rori Harmon returning from knee injury. Aaliyah Moore and DeYona Gaston are expected to anchor the frontcourt, and Vic Schaefer has two top-10 recruits on the way in 6-2 Justice Carlton from Texas and 6-0 Jordan Lee from California. The Longhorns might not be battling South Carolina for just SEC supremacy. This could be a season-long battle to be the top team in the country.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The idea of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles playing together is tantalizing even if it begs the question of how the two point guards will share the ball. Coach Niele Ivey likely welcomes the opportunity to figure it out. Having Sonia Citron to receive passes from either also helps Notre Dame's chances of getting to the Final Four for the first time under Ivey.

4. UConn Huskies

For the second straight offseason, the biggest wish in Storrs is for some sustained health. Six players suffered season-ending injuries either before or during this season. In her return after missing 2022-23 with injury, Paige Bueckers had her best season to help the Huskies back to the Final Four, and she's coming back for another run at a title. She won't have Aaliyah Edwards or Nika Muhl by her side, but if veterans Azzi Fudd , Caroline Ducharme and Aubrey Griffin can shake their injury histories, Bueckers and the Huskies might be back in the championship business, especially if incoming freshman Sarah Strong delivers as the nation's top recruit .

5. USC Trojans

Lindsay Gottlieb transformed the USC program by landing 2023's top recruit. She gave JuJu Watkins the freedom to be a star and it landed the Trojans in the Elite Eight. Now, Gottlieb will be bringing in the top recruiting class in the country to play with Watkins as USC makes its way to the Big Ten. Kennedy Smith , a 6-1 wing, headlines the six-player class that will help replace the loss of grad students Kayla Padilla , McKenzie Forbes and Kaitlyn Davis .

6. UCLA Bruins

Since the Bruins fell short of expectations with a Sweet 16 loss to LSU and no Pac-12 title, it might be hard to remember that all of Cori Close's best players, except for Charisma Osborne , were sophomores. Lauren Betts and her dominance in the post, along with guards Kiki Rice , Londynn Jones and Gabriela Jaquez , will lead UCLA into the Big Ten, where the Bruins and fellow newcomer USC might be the favorites to win the league. Rice's high school teammate, 6-2 Kendall Dudley , is a top-20 recruit who headlines a top-five class for Close.

7. LSU Tigers

The losses of Reese (declared for WNBA) and Hailey Van Lith (transfer portal) are notable but hardly devastating for Kim Mulkey. In fact, there now might be room for Flau'jae Johnson to become the new face of the program and for Mikaylah Williams and Aneesah Morrow to put up much bigger numbers. The further development of 6-6 Aalyah Del Rosario and the healthy return of Sa'Myah Smith , who missed most of the season with a knee injury, will be key.

8. NC State Wolfpack

Guard play got NC State to its first Final Four since 1998, and all three guards -- Aziaha James , Saniya Rivers and Zoe Brooks -- are expected back. Finding replacements for River Baldwin and Mimi Collins inside will be Wes Moore's top priority in the offseason, but the signing of 6-5 Lorena Awou as part of a top-20 recruiting class is a good start.

9. Stanford Cardinal

With the departures of Cameron Brink and Hannah Jump , the Cardinal become Kiki Iriafen 's team. One of the most improved players in the country this season, Iriafen will enter the ACC next season as the league's top post player. Elena Bosgana , Brooke Demetre and Talana Lepolo form a solid, if inconsistent, core around Iriafen.

10. Iowa State Cyclones

Before Emily Ryan elected to return for her fifth year, the Cyclones were a top-20 team, but Ryan elevates them into the top 10. She can continue to guide a young team as a point guard with the ability to score, as she did against Stanford in the second round of the NCAA tournament (36 points, 6-for-9 from 3), when the situation requires. The core group of rising sophomores, led by Audi Crooks and Addy Brown , had Iowa State set to be a Big 12 title contender even before Ryan's decision. Crooks will show up on many preseason All-American lists.

11. Duke Blue Devils

Six of the top seven players in Kara Lawson's rotation were freshmen and sophomores, and the Blue Devils are coming off their best NCAA tournament finish (Sweet 16) since 2018. Reigan Richardson was Duke's breakout player of the first two rounds and could be ready for a big jump from her 12.4 PPG average. Duke's defense under Lawson has always been good and was rated fourth in the country by HerHoopStats. That shouldn't change in 2024-25.

12. Oregon State Beavers

The breakup of the Pac-12 and the Beavers' move to the WCC already prompted Talia von Oelhoffen to leave Corvallis. More players could follow, but if Scott Rueck somehow keeps his talented group of freshmen and sophomores together, this team could challenge for another trip to the Elite Eight or beyond. Sophomore Raegan Beers , the country's leader in field goal percentage, and classmate Timea Gardiner would likely dominate in their new conference, along with a backcourt of sophomore sharpshooter Lily Hansford and freshmen Dominika Paurova and Donovyn Hunter .

13. Baylor Bears

Dre'Una Edwards and Aijha Blackwell are gone, but the rest of Nicki Collen's core is expected back. The most crucial returning player is point guard Sarah Andrews , who elected to play her fifth year in Waco, Texas. If Jada Walker 's play in the NCAA tournament is a sign of things to come, the Bears could have a potent and deep backcourt. Bella Fontleroy and Yaya Felder were also important contributors. Junior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs taking the next step will be a key to the Bears staying near the top of the new-look Big 12.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels

Lexi Donarski , Alyssa Ustby and Deja Kelly are not on the WNBA draft list, but they have not officially announced their intentions to return to Chapel Hill. If they do, Courtney Banghart might have her most talented group at North Carolina. Five-star recruits 6-5 Blanca Thomas and 6-4 Ciera Toomey , who redshirted this year, are set to join the active roster and join 6-3 Maria Gakdeng on the front line. Lanie Grant , a 5-10 point guard who is the Virginia state player of the year, reclassified from the Class of 2025 to join the Tar Heels next season.

15. Louisville Cardinals

The decisions by forward Olivia Cochran and guard Merissah Russell to return for their fifth years, plus junior Jayda Curry and sophomore Nyla Harris , give Jeff Walz a more complete core returning than he has had in the past two years. The Cardinals lose two of their top three scorers in Kiki Jefferson and Sydney Taylor , but Walz has also added a pair of top-25 recruits in 6-0 Mackenly Randolph and 5-10 Tajianna Avant-Roberts .

16. West Virginia Mountaineers

The first year under Mark Kellogg was a big success. Picked in the preseason to finish eighth in the Big 12, the Mountaineers tied for fourth. Prior to the Final Four, the team that gave Iowa its biggest challenge in the NCAA tournament was West Virginia. Based on her comments after that game, the Big 12's second-leading scorer, JJ Quinerly , plans to return alongside sophomore Jordan Harrison , giving Kellogg what could be the conference's best backcourt.

17. Kansas State Wildcats

Ayoka Lee , whose name isn't on the WNBA draft list, appears to be returning to the Wildcats. Having the dominant post play of Lee surrounded by what will be an experienced group of guards in Serena Sundell , Jaelyn Glenn and Brylee Glenn means Jeff Mittie will be able to build on the momentum of this season's third-place Big 12 finish and No. 4 NCAA tournament seed.

18. Florida State Seminoles

Other than Sara Bejedi , the Seminoles are expected to bring back the rest of their starting lineup. Ta'Niya Latson is one of the best scorers in the country and should be on most preseason player of the year lists. Finding more consistency will be the key for a Florida State team that beat Virginia Tech and North Carolina in consecutive games this season, only to follow with a loss to Virginia and a 42-point drubbing by Duke.

19. Oklahoma Sooners

All of the Sooners' seniors -- Lexy Keys , Aubrey Joens , Nevaeh Tot and Skylar Vann -- are expected to use their extra year and return, which means Jennie Baranczyk can essentially run back the team that won the Big 12 regular-season title. Liz Scott , who missed this season with a shoulder injury, is also slated to return and would be a big addition. Freshman Sahara Williams was playing at an all-conference level by the end of the season and could be ready to break out in 2025.

20. Creighton Bluejays

Lauren Jensen , Emma Ronsiek , Morgan Maly and Molly Mogensen have all been at Creighton seemingly forever, but because of the extra season granted by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they each have one more year of eligibility. No formal announcement has come, but none is in the WNBA draft pool. If they do all return, the Bluejays are second only to UConn in the Big East and have Sweet 16 potential.

21. Nebraska Cornhuskers

The loss of Jaz Shelley hurts, but top-30 recruit Britt Prince can soften the blow if she's able to make an impact right away. Natalie Potts and Logan Nissley were solid as freshmen, and if they are even better as sophomores, Nebraska will be an NCAA tournament team for the third time in four years. Alexis Markowski has gotten better every season and has All-American potential as a senior.

22. Ohio State Buckeyes

It's the end of the Jacy Sheldon era and, with Rebeka Mikulasikova and Celeste Taylor using up their eligibility, things will look different in Columbus. Kevin McGuff will build around Cotie McMahon , who has shown the potential to be one of the nation's top players. McGuff also landed the No. 3 recruit in point guard Jaloni Cambridge and combo guard Ava Watson to remake his backcourt.

23. Alabama Crimson Tide

Seniors Sarah Ashlee Barker , Aaliyah Nye and Loyal McQueen are all eligible to return and have not applied for the WNBA draft. Add underclassmen Essence Cody , Jessica Timmons and Karly Weathers and the entire core could be back for an Alabama team that made the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years.

24. Utah Utes

The return of a healthy Gianna Kneepkens will give Lynne Roberts a go-to player. Her knee injury and the loss of Isabel Palmer for most of the season derailed Utah's big expectations. Replacing Alissa Pili 's production will be impossible, but Jenna Johnson , Palmer, Ines Vieira and Kennady McQueen give Roberts a solid group of veterans to put around Kneepkens for the move to the Big 12.

25. Illinois Fighting Illini

A disappointing 2023-24 season ended well with Illinois winning the inaugural WBIT championship. Last year, Kansas rode the momentum of a WNIT title back to the NCAA tournament. Makira Cook and Kendall Bostic already have said they will play their fifth year in Champaign, and Genesis Bryant and Adalia McKenzie hinted they plan to return, so expect the Fighting Illini to build on this season's postseason title as well.

Also considered: Arizona Wildcats , Michigan Wolverines , Ole Miss Rebels , Texas A&M Aggies , Villanova Wildcats

Women’s Basketball Invitational Glance

The Associated Press

April 11, 2024, 10:00 AM

• Share This:
• share on facebook
• share on threads
• share on linkedin
• share on email

All Times EDT

First Round

Thursday, march 21, at beasley coliseum, pullman, wash..

Washington St. 66, Lamar 46

At Atlantic Union Bank Center

Harrisonburg, va..

Stony Brook 81, James Madison 70

At The William B. Finneran Pavilion

Bryn mawr, pa..

Villanova 75, VCU 60

At Bryce Jordan Center

University park, pa..

Penn St. 84, George Mason 80, OT

At Leavey Center

Santa clara, calif..

Santa Clara 60, BYU 59

At State Farm Center

Champaign, ill..

Illinois 74, Missouri St. 69

At John Paul Jones Arena

Charlottesville, va..

Virginia 81, High Point 59

At John E. Worthen Arena

Muncie, ind..

Belmont 77, Ball St. 59

At Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center

Gainesville, fla..

St. John’s 79, Florida 60

At Donald W. Reynolds Center

Tulsa, okla..

Tulsa 80, Arkansas 62

At Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena

Philadelphia.

Saint Joseph’s 54, Seton Hall 47

At Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena

Fort worth, texas.

TCU 67, North Texas 58

At Savage Arena

Toledo, ohio.

Toledo 76, Cleveland St. 68

At Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion

Georgetown 64, Washington 56

At Haas Pavilion

Berkeley, calif..

California 65, Hawaii 60

At Humphrey Coliseum

Starkville, miss..

Mississippi St. 84, Georgia Tech 47

Sunday, March 24

Championship semifinal.

Washington St. 73, Santa Clara 47

Illinois 79, Stony Brook 62

Villanova 73, Virginia 55

Toledo 72, St. John’s 71

Mississippi St. 68, TCU 61

Tulsa 73, Georgetown 61

Saint Joseph’s 63, California 61

Monday, March 25

Penn St. 74, Belmont 66

Thursday, March 28

Championship.

Washington St. 63, Toledo 61

Illinois 69, Tulsa 61

Penn St. 92, Mississippi St. 87

Villanova 67, Saint Joseph’s 59

Monday, April 1

At hinkle fieldhouse, indianapolis.

Illinois 81, Washington St. 58

Villanova 58, Penn St. 53

Wednesday, April 3

Illinois 71, Villanova 57

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Related News

Smith scores twice, Gauthier gets No. 38 and Boston College beats Michigan 4-0 in Frozen Four semis

Sports Betting Line

Luka Samanic scores 22, helps Jazz snap 13-game skid with 124-121 win over Rockets

Recommended.

Storms move into DC area Thursday night, bringing risk of flooding, 30 mph winds

Grant money available for small businesses on two changing Prince George’s Co. corridors

Montgomery Co. is hiring young undercover volunteers to help stop illegal alcohol sales

Related categories:.

1035 Natoma Street, San Francisco

This exquisite Edwardian single-family house has a 1344 Sqft main…

• Our process

How will you prove that the drafts are original and unique?

A standard essay helper is an expert we assign at no extra cost when your order is placed. Within minutes, after payment has been made, this type of writer takes on the job. A standard writer is the best option when you’re on a budget but the deadline isn’t burning. Within a couple of days, a new custom essay will be done for you from the ground up. Unique content, genuine research, spot-on APA/MLA formatting, and peerless grammar are guaranteed. Also, we’ll provide you with a free title page, bibliography, and plagiarism check. With a standard writer, you can count on a quality essay that will live up to all your expectations.

College Sports | Tara VanDerveer, Stanford legendary women’s…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

• Earthquakes
• High School
• Pac-12 Hotline
• Dieter Kurtenbach

College Sports

College sports | tara vanderveer, stanford legendary women’s basketball coach, announces retirement, vanderveer retires as college basketball’s all-time winningest coach. she led the cardinal to three national titles..

STANFORD — Her name is forever chiseled onto the Mt. Rushmore of Bay Area coaching legends, right up there with Bill Walsh, Steve Kerr and Bruce Bochy. If forced to narrow the list to one, Tara VanDerveer might stand alone.

When the women’s basketball coach arrived at Stanford in spring 1985, lured away from Ohio State, even her own father had his doubts.

“She’ll be unemployed in three months,” Dunbar VanDerveer told Tara’s mother, Rita.

From crowds so small that the bleachers at Maples Pavilion remained stacked against the walls to becoming college basketball’s all-time winningest coach, VanDerveer carved an unparalleled legacy of success over nearly four decades on The Farm.

The run ended Tuesday night when the legendary coach announced her retirement in a school news release.

After 45 seasons at three schools, an NCAA-record 1,216 victories and three national championships, Tara VanDerveer, 70, has called it a career.

“Basketball is the greatest group project there is and I am so incredibly thankful for every person who has supported me and our teams throughout my coaching career,” VanDerveer, 70, said. “I’ve been spoiled to coach the best and brightest at one of the world’s foremost institutions for nearly four decades.

“Coupled with my time at Ohio State and Idaho, and as head coach of the United States National Team, it has been an unforgettable ride.”

There is no question who will replace VanDerveer. In the same release, the school said negotiations are underway with Kate Paye to become VanDerveer’s successor. Paye played under VanDerveer from 1991-95 and has been a member of her staff for the past 17 seasons.

Paye would become the program’s fifth head coach beginning with the 2024-25 season, leading the Cardinal’s transition from the Pac-12 to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Last fall, VanDerveer called the Pac-12’s demise “heartbreaking.”

“I’m in a bad dream,” she said. “This is a nightmare.”

VanDerveer’s last day at Stanford will be on May 8, the 39th anniversary of her hire. VanDerveer will continue to work with with the Athletics Department in an advisory capacity, according to the school release.

Before arriving on The Farm in 1985, VanDerveer was the head coach at Idaho from 1978-1980 and Ohio State from 1980-1985. She stepped away from Stanford for one season in the 1990s to coach the U.S. women’s team to an Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

She became the all-time winningest coach this past season, passing retired Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski on Jan. 21 with her 1,203rd victory, a 65-56 win over Oregon State at Maples Pavilion.

VanDerveer then led the Cardinal to a Pacific-12 Conference regular-season championship and to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

Her teams reached 14 Final Fours.

“Tara’s name is synonymous with the sport and women’s basketball would not be what it is today without her pioneering work,” Stanford Athletic Director Bernard Muir said. “She has been devoted to this campus for 40 years and a servant to all the student-athletes who have come through her program.

“Tara built one of the sport’s iconic program’s almost immediately upon her arrival at Stanford, and then maintained that standard for nearly four decades. An energetic and positive teacher, a Hall of Famer, a trusted friend and mentor, Tara’s impact is simply unmatched, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to characterize her as one of the most influential people to ever be associated with this university. We will look forward to finding the appropriate ways to honor her deep impact and legacy here at Stanford.”

Under VanDerveer, Stanford won national championships in 1990 and 1992. She then spent the next three decades seeking title No. 3. The Cardinal broke the drought amid the pandemic in 2021 when it defeated Pac-12 rival Arizona 54-53 for the national title in San Antonio.

Stanford spent 87 nights on the road that season and played only six of its 33 games at Maples Pavilion.

Among VanDerveer’s numerous accomplishments, her Stanford teams had just one losing season: her first went 13-15 in 1985-86. Only five others finished a season with double-digit losses.

VanDerveer finished her career with a 1,216-271 record. Now that she is retiring, her time as college basketball’s all-time winningest coach is likely to end next season.

UConn’s Geno Auriemma, 70, ranks second on the all-time wins list. His record is 1,213-162.

“She’s the standard by which the rest of us in the conference and around the nation are judged,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves said at Pac-12 media day last fall. “She has done it so well, for so long, set an amazingly high bar for all of us as coaches to coach our teams in a way that is making a life impact.”

UCLA coach Cori Close, in a text on Tuesday night to the Associated Press, wrote, “Tara’s influence is both deep and wide. I went to her very first camp at Stanford as a camper. I competed against her and worked her camps as a player. And I have now been competing against her and learning from her for many years as a coach. My coaching has been affected on so many levels by Tara’s example and direct mentorship at many crossroads. Congrats on an amazing career Tara. Our game, the Pac-12 Conference, and my coaching is better because of you. Enjoy retirement. You sure have earned it.”

Carondelet High School coach Kelly Sopak called VanDerveer’s impact on the women’s game “immeasurable.”

“The game is where it’s at now because of the three icons that come to mind, and that’s Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma and Tara VanDerveer,” said Sopak, whose former point guard, Talana Lepolo, now plays at Stanford. “At a lot of schools, you worry about your kids, and wonder, ‘Are they going to be OK. And what’s going to happen if the basketball doesn’t go right? Are they going to still like the school, or are they going to transfer?’

“You just knew that if everything fit, that they were going to get the best mentor, the best education and someone that was going to take care of them for four years at Stanford.”

In a March 2000 Q&A with the San Jose Mercury News, VanDerveer was asked if she could envision coaching at Stanford for another 10 to 20 years?

“Not 20, for sure — maybe five, maybe 10,” VanDerveer said. “I try to think of it in five-year (cycles). The kids that we signed, I want to see them as seniors.”

VanDerveer saw those kids as seniors and many more.

She didn’t coach another 20 years. She lasted 24 more.

Bay Area News Group’s Joseph Dycus contributed to this report.

• Report an error
• Policies and Standards

More in College Sports

News Obituaries | ‘I’m gonna break all your records’: O.J. Simpson rode his speed out of the Bay Area to fame and infamy. It didn’t start that way

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

College sports | kate paye’s plan for post-vanderveer stanford: ‘compete for a national championship’.

College Sports | Tara VanDerveer built Stanford basketball up so it can withstand her departure

College Sports | Photos: Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer’s greatest moments through the years